Guyana Poised to Become a Regional Energy and Transition Leader

 The Guyana Business Journal and Caribbean Policy Consortium recently hosted a thought-provoking webinar titled “Powering the Future: Guyana’s Energy Landscape and the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project.” The event gathered experts: Anthony Bryan, Milton Chaves, David Goldwyn, and Ulric Trotz– from academia, industry, and policy circles to discuss Guyana’s emerging role as a regional leader in energy and sustainable development.

“Guyana is at a pivotal moment as it seeks to harness its newfound oil and gas wealth to drive sustainable economic growth,” said Dr. Terrence Blackman, co-host of the webinar. “The country faces both significant opportunities and challenges in managing this transition responsibly.”

Guyana is committed to a holistic approach to developing its energy resources, aligning them with its low-carbon development strategy. Experts emphasized the importance of conducting thorough environmental and social impact assessments to mitigate risks associated with oil and gas operations, pipeline construction, and power generation infrastructure.

While fossil fuels remain a key component, Guyana is advancing renewable energy projects, including solar, hydropower, and biomass. The country aims to generate 70% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, reducing its reliance on imported fuels and lowering carbon emissions.

Developing a skilled local workforce is essential for Guyana’s energy transformation. The webinar highlighted ongoing partnerships between Guyanese institutions and international organizations to expand training and education programs tailored to the energy sector’s evolving needs.

Guyana’s Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project, which will utilize associated gas from offshore oil production, is expected to double the country’s power generation capacity. This project promises a reliable, lower-cost electricity supply, making it a critical enabler for Guyana’s broader development goals.

“Guyana is well-positioned to become a regional energy and transition leader, leveraging its oil and gas resources to finance sustainable development while diversifying its energy mix,” said Dr. Blackman. “However, the country must navigate complex challenges to ensure that the benefits of its newfound wealth are equitably distributed and that environmental impacts are carefully managed.”

The Guyana Business Journal and Caribbean Policy Consortium are committed to continuing this essential dialogue through future webinars exploring innovation, technology, and other critical aspects of Guyana’s economic transformation.

Contact Information:
Terrence Blackman, Ph.D.
Founder, Guyana Business Journal
terrence.blackman@guyanabusinessjournal.com