It was yesterday that President David Granger and Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, Vidar Helgesen, yesterday met on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Convention in Marrakesh, Morocco, on the way forward for their forest and climate partnership.
Norway had, a few years ago, entered a deal with Guyana for a total of US$250M that would have seen this country receiving cash to ensure that forest remains as is. However the deal expired last year and the new Government announced intentions to seek a renewal. Be this as it may, the previous arrangement is still not over yet since some money is still owed by Norway. Adding to this Guyana is yet to complete a number of requirements before a new deal is signed. As such Norway has granted Guyana an extension to complete its side of the arrangements and has made commitments to continuously see Guyana apace with switching to green energy. Minister Helgesen has agreed to have in place, early in 2017, a work plan for detailing Guyana’s clean energy transition, including a facts-based consideration of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project and all other possible renewable energy options.
The Norwegian government has since launched an independent study to determine the feasibility of the hydro project. The two countries yesterday also agreed to continue a dialogue on how to develop their partnership in the 2020-2030 period.
