Georgetown, May 17th , 2016: The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) recently replaced 65 High Pressure Sodium Vapor (HPSV) street lamps (rated at 250 watt each) with 65 energy efficient Light Emitting Diodes (LED) Lamps rated at 100 watts each as part of its ongoing energy efficiency programme.

Assisted by a team of Engineers from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (Street Light Division), GEA’s Engineers, led by Energy Engineer, Mr. Leon DeSouza, installed Fifty-eight (58) of the lamps at Timehri, four (4) at the Umana Yana and 3 at Camp and Lamaha Streets.

Studies carried out by GEA’s Engineers allowed for determining which lamp was best suited for use in the pilot study:

”We were able to determine which lamps presented the best wattage and design to meet the necessary requirements. The energy efficient lamps compared were 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 Watt LED lamps and the 80, 100 and 120 Watt induction lamps. It was concluded that the 100 Watt LED lamps could be used for commercial roadways and 40 Watt LED lamps could be used for minor roads”, said Energy Engineer Mr. Leon DeSouza

The Government of Guyana (GOG) presently operates about 6,000 HPSV street lamps, rated at 250 watt and 5,000 lamps within the different municipalities rated at 175 watt, which accrue a yearly operational cost of approximately G$653.7 million dollars per year while consuming 10,402,500 kWh of energy.

Through the use of 100 W LED lamps, it is possible to significantly reduce the cost that the current street lighting systems incur. It is estimated that the 65 LED lamps that were installed will reduce the annual energy consumption by 42,705 kWh saving G$2,800,166.85 per year. The simple payback period for these lamps are 1.07 years and have an estimated lifespan of 11 years.

In keeping with its mandate, to develop and encourage the development and utilization of sources of energy other than sources presently in use, and to carry out research into all sources of energy (including those sources presently used in Guyana), the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) will continue to explore, install and monitor energy efficient Street Light technologies with the aim of gaining knowledge and thereby make recommendations that will guide decisions with regards to street lighting.

GEA is calling on all Municipalities, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, and civic groups to take advantage of the benefits of energy efficiency by installing only energy efficient street lights.