| Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity, and an environment that allows the world to thrive. The world is at a time when 1.3 billion people worldwide lack access to electricity, while 2.8 billion people do not have clean and safe cooking facilities, and when a shift to sustainable energy use is imperative to protect the Earth’s climate, no less than a worldwide effort is required to achieve sustainable energy for all.In Guyana sustainable energy is a major issue though there are some efforts in various aspects much more is still needed to become a major player in the world effort.Like many CARICOM countries Guyana continue to depend on imported oil that fuels the electricity and transport sectors. The high level of expenditure on oil reduces the financial resources available to invest in social development, environmental protection and improving food security.With the ongoing drive to make aware the benefits of sustainable energy and its effectiveness citizens contributed by following various guidelines to save energy and thus help lower electricity cost.Back in 2004 the Government of Guyana started the implementation of the Unserved Areas Electrification Programme (UAEP) with loan support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).This programme had several components, including extending electric grid coverage of Guyana Power and light Inc., reducing losses, management and operational support and a Customer Information System.It also had a hinterland energy component, using Solar Home Systems (SHS) and community-based systems for schools to provide community and household access to electricity. The systems in Yarikita, Capoey, Kurakbaru and Muritaro comprised a 125W mono-crystalline panel and flooded lead acid battery.The schools in these villages received 250W system with inverter, 8x25W bulbs and 120V outlets. Another 12 villages received a total of 1200 SHS with 65W panels and maintenance-free AGM battery, and one 260W system for the school. Wind speed measurements were carried out in Orealla, Jawalla, Campbelltown and Yupukari, but wind power potential was found to be insufficient.Where Guyana is concerned, the choices for beefing up the national grid seem to favour solar, wind and hydroelectric. These choices are not new and have often been talked about as part of Guyana’s long-term environmental and economic protection strategy.Though the cost savings over the long-run are well understood, very little progress has been achieved. The technology exists, but putting these energy sources in place keeps eluding Guyana. The reasons for this failure are unclear,Cheap NFL Jerseys, but making any of these options a reality could be bounded as much by economics as by technology.Guyana advocates a low-carbon development strategy that is intended to save the forests and prevent carbon emissions. However, installing a hydroelectric facility would destroy the surrounding forest, exchanging one environmental problem for another.Unintentionally, the preferred form of development seems to be turning on itself. The question that faces Guyana is whether it wants to sacrifice some of its forest or emit more carbon by building standard power plans.If Guyana is to develop into something more than what it is, it will need to make the hard choices necessary to do so.Sustainable energy provides new opportunities for growth. It enables businesses to grow, generates jobs, and creates new markets. Children can study after dark. Clinics can store life-saving vaccines. Countries can grow more resilient, with competitive economies.With sustainable energy, countries can build the clean energy economies of the future. Transforming the world’s energy systems will also lead to new multi-trillion-dollar investment opportunities.Sustainable energy for all is an investment in our collective future. Universal energy access, increasing the use of renewable energy, improved energy efficiency and addressing the connection between energy and health, women, food, water and other development issues are at the heart of all countries’ core interest, which must be deeply integrated in the development agenda.The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared the decade 2014 2024 as the Decade of Sustainable Energy for All, significantly, the resolution recognized the importance of giving appropriate consideration to energy issues in elaborating the post-2015 development agenda.In adopting the resolution, the General Assembly reaffirmed its determination to make sustainable energy for all a reality. The text calls upon Member States to galvanize efforts to make universal access to sustainable modern energy services a priority, noting that 1.3 billion people are without electricity and 2.6 billion people in developing countries rely on traditional biomass for cooking and heating.It expressed concern that even when energy services are available, millions of poor people are unable to pay for them.The resolution stressed the need to improve access to reliable, affordable, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound energy services and resources for sustainable development.To that end, it also highlighted the importance of improving energy efficiency, increasing the share of renewable energy and cleaner and energy-efficient technologies.The Assembly called upon Governments, as well as relevant international and regional organizations and other relevant stakeholders, to combine, as appropriate, the increased use of new and renewable energy resources.In response, Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative, which brings together stakeholders in Government, the private sector and civil society to mobilize action towards three objectives: to provide universal energy access; to double the rate of global energy efficiency improvement; and to double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. |
