Why is hydro important in Guyana?

Within the renewable energy resources available in Guyana, hydro will be important to provide firm capacity and short-term energy storage to compensate for daily and weekly fluctuations form solar and wind. Hydro will also provide, in the long-term, a cheaper solution than any other technology, due to its long lifespan.

How much electricity does Guyana have?

As of 2020, Guyana has an installed electrical capacity of 337 MW, based on a mix of fossil fuels (85.27%), biomass (12.46%), solar (2.26%) and wind energy (0.01%). However, over a quarter of electricity is lost during transmission and distribution due to faulty infrastructure.

Where does Guyana's Energy come from?

This page is part of Global Energy Monitor 's Latin America Energy Portal. More than 90% of Guyana's total energy supply comes from fossil fuels, with the remainder derived from renewables such as wood and sugar cane residue.

What resources are available in Guyana?

In Guyana, solar energy, wind and hydropower are good complementary resources. Solar energy is available during daylight hours, peaking at noon, while wind is stronger during evening hours and at nights. Wind is lower during the wet seasons, while hydropower is fully available.

Is hydropower a good alternative to solar energy in Guyana?

Hydro will also provide, in the long-term, a cheaper solution than any other technology, due to its long lifespan. In Guyana, solar energy, wind and hydropower are good complementary resources. Solar energy is available during daylight hours, peaking at noon, while wind is stronger during evening hours and at nights.

Can hydropower provide Guyana with utility-scale and small-scale capacity?

Hydropower has the potential to provide Guyana with both utility-scale and small-scale capacity. Small-scale is discussed under “Isolated Grids” below. Guyana has a potential for 8.5 Gigawatt (GW) of hydropower on 33 hydropower plants (including storage capacity and run-of-river).