Guyana’s first solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging station was commissioned on Thursday at the University of Guyana's Turkeyen Campus, a move that signals the country's continued expansion of low-carbon transportation infrastructure.
According to a release from the Guyana Energy Agency, the facility is equipped with a 60-kilowatt (kW) charging system, which is currently the highest-rated and most powerful public EV charger within Guyana’s growing electric vehicle network. It features a carport designed to accommodate two electric vehicles at a time and is supported by a 15kW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
The station allows solar energy to be used for vehicle charging during the day, while excess electricity generated is supplied to the grid through a net-billing arrangement with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).
The project, undertaken by the Government of Guyana, was funded through a US$250,000 grant (G$52.1 million) from the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Just Energy Transition (JET) Seed Funding initiative, through the United Nations Joint Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Fund. The Government of Guyana contributed a further G$16.2 million (US$77,642). The combined investment amounts to approximately G$68.3 million (US$327,642).
In brief remarks, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr Mahender Sharma reportedly said the initiative is part of Guyana’s national efforts to expand low-carbon transportation under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, which aims to accelerate the country’s transition to clean and renewable energy.
He added that the project also supports the Government’s efforts to expand access to renewable energy and promote energy efficiency solutions, including through the recently launched LCDS Grid-Connected Solar Household Initiative.
Beyond the physical infrastructure, the initiative also incorporated a training component aimed at developing local expertise in electric mobility and renewable energy technologies. A total of 22 master trainers received training in solar PV installation, electric vehicle charging systems, and electric vehicle maintenance and management.
Another solar-powered EV charging station will soon be commissioned at the Board of Industrial Training in Tuschen, Region Three.
Dr. Sharma went on to explain that the installation works were done by in-house staff and volunteers.
DEMAND
Already, more than 200 charging sessions had already been completed at the University of Guyana location even before its official commissioning.
The GEA CEO also thanked the University of Guyana administration for its cooperation in accommodating the project and allowing members of the public to access the charging facility, including outside of regular operating hours.
The GEA said this commissioning reflects the country’s vision of accelerating sustainable, low-carbon development by expanding the use of clean energy in the transportation sector and increasing the availability of charging infrastructure to support the growing uptake of electric vehicles on local roadways.
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