The Hinterland Electrification Company Inc. through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will launch a national public education and awareness campaign under the theme “Let’s Make it Happen” to promote the benefits of renewable energy technologies (RETs) and the rational use of energy.
The launch is set for next Monday.
The RETs public awareness campaign which will run for an initial six months is intended to build on two earlier campaigns from 2016 that focused on conservation tools and strategies for energy consumers in Guyana.
In this phase, the Let’s Make it Happen RETs campaign aims to achieve the following outcomes: Improve knowledge and understanding of renewable energy technologies among the target audience; Improve public understanding of the principles and need for energy conservation and substitution; Create awareness and support for Government’s vision of transitioning towards renewable energy in the power sector and Create a favourable environment for achievement of energy policy targets as well as changes in attitudes and behaviour of energy consumers in Guyana.
Investments in renewable energy can propel Guyana’s energy transition; create good green jobs; and significantly reduce energy costs in the country’s electricity sector. In this context, the public education and awareness campaigns will play a meaningful role in changing public perceptions, attitudes and practices about how energy is produced, consumed and owned in homes, businesses and communities countrywide.
Guyana’s Green State Development Strategy framework document (GSDS) identifies renewable energy as a part of the long-term solution to meet the country’s economic and social development needs. The GSDS identifies four core strategic areas for the transition to increased use of renewables. These include: (i) Achieving a transition to 100% renewable energy in the power sector (ii) Achieving affordable, reliable and clean energy services for all (iii) Ensuring security and quality of energy for business growth (iv) Increasing energy efficiency.
The Hinterland Electrification Company Inc., (HECI) which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) is one entity charged with maintaining the steady extension and upgrade of electricity systems across the hinterland, progressively monitoring operations and merging isolated services as appropriate. This agency will have direct responsibility for managing the RETs public awareness campaign.
Funding for the campaign is being provided by the Global Environment Fund (GEF) through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The Global Environment fund is a private equity fund manager which invests in businesses that advance resource and energy efficiency and safety and security.
