Cheddi Jagan airport solar plant set to cut power costs by US$800,000 a year

Guyana is pressing ahead with a three-megawatt grid-tied solar photovoltaic installation at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport that officials say could trim annual electricity spending by roughly US$800,000 once the plant is commissioned in June 2027.

Dr. Mahender Sharma, chief executive of the Guyana Energy Agency, told the Department of Public Information on Tuesday that the facility will supply power during daylight hours to offset much of the airport's demand, while any surplus will be exported to the Guyana Power and Light grid. He projected yearly generation at about 4,544 megawatt-hours, exceeding the airport's current draw of approximately 3,637 megawatt-hours.

Authorities frame the venture as part of Guyana's shift toward cleaner energy, easing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions. Over an estimated 25-year service life, the plant could produce more than 112 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity and avoid about 72,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide, they said.

Preparatory work is already under way. The site has been cleared and a range of technical studies is complete, including geotechnical investigations, photovoltaic layout design, shadow analysis, earthing work, and lightning protection reviews. Detailed engineering designs are finalized, and regulators are now reviewing and approving major components and equipment.

Major civil works are expected to begin shortly, covering foundations, mounting structures, cable trenching, inverters, transformers, and connection to the Guyana Power and Light network. The next phase will involve procuring and importing solar photovoltaic gear and supporting electrical infrastructure.