GEORGETOWN — A quiet energy revolution is underway in Guyana’s interior. With GY$885 million greenlit for solar retrofitting, 21 Amerindian villages are set to receive clean, sustainable power—marking one of the government’s boldest moves yet to uplift the nation’s rural populations.
Unlike past development plans centered in the coastal cities, this initiative targets the often-overlooked communities scattered across Guyana’s hinterland. More than 12,000 residents will see a tangible shift—lights that stay on, classrooms that can function after sunset, clinics powered for emergency care.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips, speaking at the National Toshaos Council Conference, described the investment not as charity—but as strategy.
“This is not about catching up—it’s about leading from every corner of this country,” he said.
Phillips pointed to Region Nine as a proving ground. Despite having the infrastructure to generate over 5 megawatts of electricity, only a fraction is used. The solar expansion, he argued, can change that—unlocking new industries like agro-processing in cashew and mango, creating local jobs, and stabilizing incomes.
The broader vision ties energy access with digital opportunity. With solar power comes stronger connectivity. Already, Amerindian students are enrolling in online universities through the GOAL scholarship programme. Some have graduated, returning not just with degrees, but with the knowledge to transform their own communities.
This is more than a green investment—it’s a commitment to national symmetry, where the most remote parts of Guyana are no longer left in the dark.
