The CARICOM Secretariat is today (January 11) set to take charge of a Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Plant, as it sets an example of how the region can utilise renewable energy resources to move towards greater energy efficiency and resilience.

The 400-kilowatt solar generation project, with 1,500 solar panels and servers and batteries, was undertaken through a US$17.8 million grant agreement between the governments of Guyana and Japan, US$7 milllion of which was earmarked for the project.

Guyana President Irfaan Ali will deliver a keynote address at the handover ceremony, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. today, Guyana Time. Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett will also address the ceremony.

Other speakers will be:

• Mr. Hiroyasu Tonokawa, Chief Representative to the Caribbean, Japan International Cooperation Agency
• His Excellency Mr. Tatsuo Hirayama, Ambassador of Japan to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and CARICOM
• the Hon. Brigadier-General (Ret’d) Mark A. Phillips, MSS MP, Prime Minister of Guyana
• Dr. Armstrong Alexis, CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General

The ceremony will be Livestreamed on CARICOM’s YouTube Channel – https://youtu.be/Qpjwm3Ifk7U and on the CARICOM Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/caricom.org