Small, sun-rich States need support in solar technologies – Pres. Granger tells Indian Summit
Guyana’s President David Granger made a call for small, sun-rich countries to have access to technologies and other support necessary to develop their solar potential, a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) said.
The appeal was made to an audience of world leaders at the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Founding Conference and Solar Summit which was held on Sunday (February 11, 2018) at New Delhi in India.
“Small states are limited not only in size but usually, also, in human resources, technology, and capital. Small states need support in the form of investment, innovative technology, infrastructural photovoltaic systems, and capacity-building in order to close the technological gap with larger and richer states. The International Solar Alliance (ISA), from the start, should support the energy ambitions of the small, sunbelt states by promoting investment-financing mechanisms for solar technologies,” the Head of State is quoted to have said.
He said that the ISA represents a leap forward towards ensuring that solar power becomes more accessible and more affordable to more people. The President also urged this international body to ensure that small states benefit from investment, innovative technologies, photovoltaic infrastructure, information-sharing and the dissemination of scientific and technological data. He pointed out too, that the ISA must promote information-sharing and technology transfer relating to solar energy and capacity-building in the solar energy sector.
Further, President Granger told the gathering that Guyana’s “green development thrust” encompasses economic, environmental and energy security. He said Guyana is situated in the ideal location to become a “solar state”, being a mere 6.8 degrees north of the equator and being exposed to an average of 12 hours of daylight daily all year round.
“Guyana has begun to transition to increased solar power generation and use. Solar farms are being planned and established. Solar-powered street lights are being installed and Government buildings are increasingly being equipped to use solar energy. Incentives are being offered to encourage this transition to solar technologies. Guyana has the physical conditions for increasing generation but needs technologies to develop capacity in the solar energy sector. Much more needs to be done in other fields such as education, communication, transportation and housing,” the Head of State said.
Guyana signed and ratified the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance on January 30, 2018. MoTP said the President described the ‘alliance’ as an essential element in ensuring energy, economic and environmental security.
The ISA Framework Agreement was launched on November 30, 2015. It is an action-oriented international and inter-governmental organisation that aims to maximise the harnessing of solar-energy potential, modernise energy systems, universalise access to energy, accelerate economic development and alleviate poverty. This Solar Summit was hosted jointly by the Governments of India and France.
On February 27, President Granger received a formal invitation to the summit from Indian High Commissioner, Mr Venkatachalam Mahalingam and Ambassador of the French Republic to Guyana, Mr Antoine Joly.
