| – Hinterland communities to benefit from improved water supply Yesterday Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the nation’s supplier of water and sanitation services, received 35 solar photovoltaic pumping systems from Japan during an official handing over ceremony held at the Company’s Corporate Complex at Church Street and Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.The systems were received by Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Minister of Housing and Water, from Mr. Tatsuaki Iwata, Ambassador of Japan.According to Tatsuaki Iwata, Japan granted aid to the Government of Guyana in the sum of US$5M, for the purpose of climate change and the environment. And Amerindian communities would benefit tremendously from Solar Photovoltaic Systems as they would have access to regular supply of potable water.Solar is an environmentally friendly source of power, and the Government of Japan is committed to mitigate the effects of climate change as the same with the Government of Guyana.Mr Iwata added that Japanese are helping Guyana to transfer technology in the fields of food processing, Agriculture, Health and various expertise.According to Minister Ali, the water sector is facing one of its most challenging periods when heavy investments in the capital sector are made simultaneously trying to improve human resource and capabilities.In many communities in the hinterland, fresh water sources including creeks, have all dried up. Another challenge is presented in the form of high fuel price, which makes it necessary for a cost effective relevant technology such as the Solar Photovoltaic Systems for the area.Minister Ali, in his address, noted that the systems were made possible through bilateral funding made available by the Government of Japan to the Government of Guyana.“167 systems are required to transform the water resource landscape in the hinterland communities.” The Government of Japan made some 30 of those systems available, Minister Ali said.The total required investment is $849M plus to have the 167 solar system installed in the hinterland communities.These solar pumping systems are an integral part of the GWI Hinterland Strategy, which focuses on the use of sustainable energy and appropriate cost effective means to facilitate the provision of potable water for the Hinterland communities.Minister Ali noted, “Such an intervention is timely due to the current prolonged dry spell that has resulted from the El Nino phenomenon. These solar photovoltaic pumping systems will provide immediate relief to the residents of Almond Beach in Region One, St. Denny’s in Region Two, Micobie in Region Eight and Tiger Pond and St Ignatius in Region Nine.”According to Hinterland Manager, Akram Hussain, solar photovoltaic pumping systems have a number of advantages over conventional pumping systems. The main advantage is the non-dependence on fossil fuels, as these systems rely on the sun’s radiant energy for water pumping.This will reduce operational costs and will ensure reliable operation. Additionally, these systems deliver water at a high pressure,Nike Air Max 95, enabling storage in overhead tanks and distribution through pipelines, making them complete reticulation systems. The water is clean and of excellent quality, as it is stored in a closed system to prevent contamination.” |
