HINTERLAND ELECTRIFICATION USING

PV SYSTEMS

MR. HORACE WILLIAMS HINTERLAND ELECTRIFICATION COMPANY IINC. MINISTRY OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, GUYANA

GUYANA

BACKGROUND

Characteristics of the

Hinterland

Covers about 85% of the country’s territory, with 20% of the population. Occupied mainly by our indigenous peoples in about 200 communities. Residents exist mainly by subsistence farming, fishing and hunting. Prior to 2007, access to electricity was very low.

UNSERVED AREAS ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMME

(UAEP)

- Hinterland Component

Objective 1

• Determine the options and technical, economic-financial, institutional-administrative, socio-environment requirements for viable hinterland electrification schemes.

Objective 2

• Implement a number of pilot projects to determine their viability for possible replication.

HINTERLAND STUDY

26 Communities were studied, chosen from

all 10 Regions

Energy use and needs in the communities

were studied

Options for wind, hydro, biomass and

solar power were considered

“TO DETERMINE THE OPTIONS & REQUIREMENTS FOR HINTERLAND ELECTRIFICATION”

HINTERLAND STUDY FINDINGS

Key Findings

Energy consumption was primarily for cooking and lighting. 85% of households used Kerosene “flambeau” lamps and wood for lighting Ave. monthly expenditure on kerosene for lighting – GYD$1,645

Priorities for electricity: 1. Lighting 2. Entertainment

and information – (power for radios, CD players)

3. Refrigeration of food

4. Power machinery for productive activities

Households were willing to pay GYD$1,000 per month for electricity service

HINTERLAND STUDY - RECOMMENDATIONS

CLASSIFICATION THE VILLAGES

GROUP 1

Existing mini-grid Rural

Infrastructure Significant local

government institutions

Some commercial / productive activities

GROUP 2

Small number of local government institutions

Potential for commercial / development activities

Small number of local government institutions

Less than 1,000 residents

Primarily subsistence economies

GROUP 3

- Majority of communities were classified as Group 3

HINTERLAND ELECTRIFICATION PROCESS

CHALLENGES

1. Low purchasing power of residents 2. Low demand for electricity 3. Limited economic activities in some

areas. 4. Houses are largely dispersed : > 500 m

apart in some cases 5. High transportation cost from coastal

areas. 6. Limited technical skills available in the

communities. 7. Less than 10 firms nationally with

capacity to implement such projects. 8. Projects too small to attract foreign

interest. 9. Logistics – due to remoteness of some

communities.

HINTERLAND ELECTRIFICATION PROCESS

WHY THE SOLAR HOME SYSTEM OPTION?

1. High network cost. 2. Low initial demand for

electricity. 3. Unavailability of reliable wind

data. 4. Hydro power option was

limited to some communities and needed costly network

5. High transportation cost for fossil fuels.

6. Individual solar PV system was least cost option.

BENEFITS

Improved lighting for after-dusk productive activities:

Studying / Reading Craft Making Sewing / Knitting

Power for operating small electronic devices for communication, information and entertainment:

Cell-phone Charger Radio Portable CD Player

SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

SUSTAINABILITY Institutional Framework

Training

Financial

Village Councils to manage project operation phase

Selected residents trained to maintain the PV systems

Each household to pay GY$500/mth to a fund

REPLICATION

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

19,700 Home Systems

334 Home Systems in Pilot Projects

Number of Solar Home Systems Installed

(Mostly 65W Systems)

GOING FORWARD

Community Based

Electricity Systems

PV Mini - , micro-grids in central area

o Small Solar Farms o Wind Farm where viable o Mini- / micro-hydro where

available o Hybrid systems

Use

Provide energy for productive /

livelihood activities

Provide energy to support / enhance social services (water

supply, health services, education)

THANK YOU!