Guyana poised for significant bio-fuel future, says PM
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| Published on Thursday, August 9, 2007 |
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GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): The high-level hemispheric seminar on expanding bio-energy opportunities in the Caribbean concluded in Guyana on Tuesday, with optimism expressed by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds about Guyana’s pursuit of that new sector.
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| Guyana Prime Minister Samuel Hinds |
In his closing remarks, Hinds reaffirmed the government’s position of moving towards ethanol production, a point which was articulated by President Jagdeo and reiterated by Head of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) Suresh Narine on Guyana’s draft policy on agro-energy.
“We are purposefully moving forward in this sector and I think with some feelings of enthusiasm,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister considers the seminar a noteworthy and educational experience for many including himself who became more cognizant of pursuits by other regions in the direction of bio-fuel.
He noted that agro-energy is an advantageous initiative which must be seen in the context of “making a living”. He referred to numerous plans for investment from stakeholders seeking leases for land to produce large volumes of crops for bio-fuels to meet the US and EU markets.
The seminar which commenced on August 6 with key presentations by President Jagdeo and President of the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) Luis Alberto Moreno featured dialogue on the organisation and preparation of a regional agro-energy strategy.
The general consensus among stakeholders was the recognition and acknowledgement of a regional approach as a mechanism to address the benefits of bio-fuels to the Caribbean.
It is also hoped that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) inked for the establishment of a Caribbean Action plan would be signed by other Caricom member states.
The Guyana government has already taken into consideration a decision to push ahead with the production of agro-energy. The establishment of an ethanol plant in Guyana has been under discussion and it is hoped that the US$169 million Skeldon sugar modernisation factory will be the first enterprise to utilise ethanol.
Several pioneering countries producing ethanol were able to reduce their dependence on fossil fuel. According to a United Nations (UN) study, Guyana could save US$5 million in imported gasoline by investing US$6.5 million in an ethanol production plant.
The IDB President said ethanol and bio-diesel production are expanding on a massive scale, attracting billions of dollars in investment and generating thousands of new jobs.
The two-day seminar was a collaborative effort of Government, the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme (CREDP), the Inter-American Institute of Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the IDB. | | | | Reads : 343 | | | |
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