Georgetown, July 2019: Under the second phase of the Latin America and the Caribbean Energy Efficiency Program (PALCEE) supported by the Austrian Development Cooperation and the Latin American Energy Organisation (OLADE), the Guyana Energy Agency has commenced the demonstration of energy efficient lights benefitting 500 vulnerable households.
According to Ms. Shevon Wood, Head of the Energy and Energy Statistics Division of the GEA….”the project is in accordance with the objectives of the Green State Development Strategy and the National Energy Policy which generally aims to, among other things, increase end-use energy conservation and efficiency in the residential sector, curtail greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector and minimise the foreign exchange cost of energy to the national economy….”
The activity, which commenced in May 2019 and will conclude in December 2019, entails the distribution of a total of 2,000 energy efficient LED lights in the residential sector; specifically, targeting the distribution and installation at low income areas and to beneficiaries from a vulnerable social group to demonstrate its derived socio-economic and environmental benefits.
GEA’s Technician Installing One of the Lights
Ms. Wood explained that the criterion that was established to identify the recipient households were that “…..the beneficiary must be a pensioner or disabled person who receives public assistance from the Government….”. She further explained that “…the Ministry of Social Protection was consulted and a population list was provided from which a sample was drawn from each of the 10 administrative regions. From the data obtained, and based on the number of lights provided under the PALCEE project, a quota of 4 lights per household was set for distribution which amounted to a total of 500 beneficiaries….”.
To ensure a 100% installation of the lights and that they are used for their intended purpose the GEA has undertaken to install the lights through house to house visits.
The table below highlights the number of lights that will be distributed per Region:
| Region | Quantity | Percentage |
| Region 1 | 57 | 11% |
| Region 2 | 13 | 3% |
| Region 3 | 98 | 20% |
| Region 4 | 190 | 38% |
| Region 5 | 27 | 5% |
| Region 6 | 32 | 6% |
| Region 7 | 30 | 6% |
| Region 8 | 22 | 4% |
| Region 9 | 5 | 1% |
| Region 10 | 26 | 5% |
| Total | 500 | 100% |
Guyana is one of the beneficiary countries under the second phase of the Latin America and the Caribbean Energy Efficiency Programme (PALCEE), supported by the Austrian Development Cooperation and the Latin American Energy Organisation (OLADE). The general objective of this project is to enhance local capacity to improve energy efficiency in Guyana, by strengthening the institutions responsible for guiding and directing the energy efficiency programmes nationwide, including laws and regulations. In addition, the project aims to achieve sustainable energy savings, prioritise investment needs in the energy sector, improve the country’s finances and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The implementation of the energy efficient light distribution demonstration project is the third and final activity of the Program.