IN a historic move toward sustainable energy and rural development, the village of Batavia has become the latest beneficiary of Guyana’s expanding solar energy network, now enjoying 24-hour electricity for the first time.
The transformation comes through a state-of-the-art solar farm developed under a US$1.4 million project, a promise fulfilled by President Dr. Irfaan Ali and executed by CNOOC Guyana.
The initiative, launched in 2021, includes two large solar farms, both of which are fully operational and already supplying power to key community hubs, including Arian Island and the village centre, which houses several government buildings.
Batavia, a remote riverine community of approximately 700 residents, previously relied almost entirely on gasoline-powered generators, a costly and unreliable source of energy. The arrival of solar-powered electricity has been described as life-changing by residents and community leaders.
Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Toshao Murphy Gomez shared that the benefits of the project are already being felt, even though some homes are still being connected.
“This solar project benefits us tremendously,” Gomez said. “Our children can study late at night using the lights. And for those who used lamps, they don’t have to worry about gasoline anymore. They just plug in and get their assignments done.”
Gomez acknowledged that while more than half of the households are already connected, the major hurdle has been rewiring homes to meet the requirements of the new system.
“We don’t actually pay an electrician to wire our homes. We just buy a generator, a wire, a bulb, and a switch and connect it ourselves,” he explained. “But now, with this system, we have to get a fuse box and a certified electrician, which is a cost. But we are doing that now.”
The goal is to have full community coverage by the end of September, and progress is well underway.
Batavia’s larger solar farm which is currently powering a number of projectsBeyond personal convenience, the solar project is also expected to boost economic development in Batavia. A new cassava processing centre, currently under construction, will operate on solar power, and the village market is next in line to be wired. These efforts are expected to create new employment opportunities and strengthen local industries.
Gomez expressed gratitude on behalf of the community for the government’s continued investment in rural and hinterland development.
“We must thank the government—not only for what they’re doing here, but across the country. In our village, we see tremendous transformation. Not just this project, but in all areas, especially education. We have a new school opening soon. There’s just so much happening.”
Batavia’s leap towards clean energy is part of Guyana’s broader commitment to renewable energy and sustainable development, positioning the country as a regional leader in climate-conscious innovation, even as it continues to develop its oil and gas resources.
