The once desolate and isolated border town of Lethem to Guyana’s south is steadily evolving into the likes of a modern city. While the 300-mile stretch of trail to Georgetown is taking form slowly but surely, renewable energy projects in the Central Rupununi area promises clean, non-stop, and low-cost energy to people living in the town of Lethem as well as some nearby villages. If all goes according plan, this dream could become a reality by early 2025.
The government of Guyana has embarked on a “clean energy mix” to service the town of Lethem which includes a solar farm and two hydro projects, but which will still be supplemented by the existing fossil fuel powered generators. The fossil fuel generators will provide less than 5% of the energy needs of the town and will stand as backup in cases where the hydro and solar power sources falter. This can happen on cloudy days and in dry season, or in the event of mechanical failure etc.
The once defunct Moco Moco hydro dam has been recommissioned and engineers have already started work in reviving it into a working energy source. In addition to that, the government has commissioned a hydro power plant to harness the force of the Kumu Falls which is located just a few miles away from the Moco Moco Falls.
A source close to the Guyana Energy Agency told this publication that the hydro power plant which will be built on the Kumu Falls will be constructed in a way that doesn’t disrupt the tourism aspect of the well-known, scenic, and refreshing Kumu Falls. On the same note it should be mentioned that the Moco Moco hydro dam never impeded tourism to the destination, but instead served as an added tourist attraction with visitors relishing in the challenge of climbing the 999 steps of the hydro dam all the way to the top. Further, the hydro power projects will be executed within parameters outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Protected Area Commission (PAC).
The ongoing energy projects for Region 9 is being executed within the parameters of the Guyana Government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
