Guyana Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic Program

Summary of Project Progress (Status as of March 2026)

The Guyana Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic Programme (GUYSOL) continued to demonstrate strong implementation progress to date, building on the significant milestones achieved in 2025. The programme remains on schedule to achieve its development objectives and reflecting steady implementation and timely delivery of major outputs.

To date the GUYSOL project has delivered five (5) utility-scale solar photovoltaic facility completed under the programme, a major milestone achievement . This achievement increased GUYSOL’s total installed capacity to 18 MWp, representing 55% of the programme’s target of 33 MWp, with five of the planned eight solar farms now operational across Regions 2, 5, and 6.

Commissioned Solar Farms

Implementation also continued on Lot 2 (15 MW, Linden), where construction activities progressed through pile testing and preparatory civil works, while institutional arrangements between GPL and LECI advanced in preparation for commissioning. These investments remain central to achieving Guyana’s target of increasing renewable energy’s share of the national electricity mix to 19% by 2026.

Collectively, the commissioned solar farms are already delivering measurable development benefits through significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, substantial annual savings in diesel fuel costs, improved grid resilience, enhanced energy security, and increased access to reliable electricity for households, businesses, schools, and health facilities. The programme also continues to advance Guyana’s commitments under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and GRIF climate objectives.

Beyond infrastructure delivery, GUYSOL has maintained a strong emphasis on institutional strengthening and workforce development. During the reporting period, implementation continued for the Women in Solar PV Programme, with a second training cohort commencing in February 2026, alongside ongoing apprenticeship programmes designed to expand technical skills and increase female participation in Guyana’s renewable energy sector. Technical assistance under the GUYSOL Technical Cooperation also strengthened GPL’s institutional capacity through specialized training in commissioning, system operations, risk management, and leadership, complemented by continued international technical supervision and quality assurance.

Implementation Status

Overall, GUYSOL continues to translate infrastructure investments into tangible economic, environmental, and social benefits. The programme is making a significant contribution to diversifying Guyana’s energy mix, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering electricity generation costs, strengthening national energy security, and building the institutional and technical capacity required to support a resilient, sustainable, and low-carbon energy sector.

Status Update (–)

The GUYSOL Project, under the Guyana-Norway Partnership, continues to advance Guyana’s renewable energy capacity. As of June 2025, the Program Execution Unit is fully operational, guided by the Program Operations Manual approved in March 2023.

By June 2025, the construction of solar projects in Berbice and Essequibo are well advanced, while the third solar farm at the Linden site was just getting underway since contract signing in May 2025. 

With a focus on capacity building and empowerment, the training firm procurement had been completed, and the first batches of apprentices, including the Women in Solar Apprenticeship Program, commenced hands-on PV training, with the target of 50 women enrolled and acquiring technical skills for solar farm operations.

The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Plan is also in its final stages, developed following the Inter-American Development (IDB) Disaster and Climate Change Risk Assessment Methodology, to guide preparedness, response, and recovery for all solar farm sites. The DRM Plan will be integrated into the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) to ensure compliance with national and international standards.

Together, these achievements demonstrate the project’s commitment to strengthening local capacity, fostering an inclusive workforce, enhancing infrastructure resilience, and expanding Guyana’s renewable energy sector in a sustainable, climate-resilient manner.