Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips urged regional leaders to enhance collaboration on long-term energy planning to ensure sustainability and viability for the future.
Delivering his intervention during the Ministerial Dialogue at the 11th Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE) Energy Week in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Prime Minister Phillips emphasised that countries across Latin America and the Caribbean must develop energy systems capable of responding to increasing electricity demand, climate-related risks and rapid technological advancements.
He noted that economic growth, industrialisation, urbanisation and digitalisation will significantly increase energy requirements across the region in the coming years, making it necessary for governments to plan beyond immediate generation needs.
“The energy system of the next decade must be more diversified, more resilient, more efficient, more digital and increasingly low carbon. This requires us to plan not only for today’s needs, but for the economy and society we expect to have 20 or 50 years from now.”
Highlighting Guyana’s national energy strategy as an example, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, which guides the development of a diversified energy supply comprising natural gas, hydropower, solar, wind and other technologies.
He emphasised that Guyana’s approach recognises the importance of utilising its natural resources to advance national development while maintaining its longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability.
“Guyana is an emerging oil and gas producer and, simultaneously, a country with approximately 85 per cent forest cover and a longstanding commitment to low-carbon development. We do not regard these realities as contradictory. Rather, our responsibility is to manage our natural resources strategically and sustainably, and to use them to accelerate national development and the transformation of our energy system.”
Prime Minister Phillips reported that renewable energy projects and programmes implemented or committed between 2020 and 2026 represent G$37.717 billion in investments, contributing to a 623 percent increase in installed renewable energy capacity, from 5.35 megawatts (MW) in 2019 to 38.72 MW in 2026.
These initiatives include 13 utility-scale solar photovoltaic farms, 57 solar mini-grids, three hydropower plants, the distribution of 37,730 solar home energy systems and 239 rooftop solar photovoltaic systems on public and community buildings.
Based on projects committed through 2031, Guyana’s installed renewable energy capacity is expected to reach 77.14 MW, almost doubling the 2026 level.
The Prime Minister further explained that natural gas will play an important role in replacing more carbon-intensive imported fuels used in electricity generation by improving energy security and supporting lower electricity costs. Adding to this, renewable energy development and battery storage will continue to expand.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the role of grid modernisation, digitalisation and AI in improving energy planning, demand forecasting and predictive maintenance, noting that these technologies can strengthen the reliability of electricity systems. He cautioned, however, that the growing use of AI and data centres will drive up electricity demand, which will require greater investment in cybersecurity, data governance and technical expertise.
On the just energy transition, he stressed that expanding energy access must bring tangible improvements to people’s lives, particularly in developing communities.
“We must ensure that hinterland, riverine and Indigenous communities, vulnerable households, workers and businesses are not left behind. This requires expanding access to reliable and affordable energy, creating opportunities for local employment and enterprise, investing in skills and technical capacity, and ensuring meaningful community participation in energy development.”
Prime Minister Phillips noted that decentralised renewable energy systems are already transforming communities by supporting education, healthcare, communications, entrepreneurship, and local economic activity.
On regional integration, he highlighted the importance of continued collaboration through OLACDE, focusing on innovative financing solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure, and expanding energy interconnection where feasible.
The Guyanese Prime Minister also reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to working with regional partners to advance a shared energy agenda that balances economic transformation, environmental sustainability and improved livelihoods.
Source: Village Voice News
