2008 bill was US$400M
The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has rejoined the conservation drive and has launched its own campaign to promote energy saving and awareness.
The objective of the campaign is to influence change in energy consumption patterns by increasing awareness of energy saving opportunities that do not require lifestyle changes, resulting in lower electricity and fuel bills.
Chief Executive Officer Mahender Sharma along with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds launched the campaign yesterday at the agency’s Quamina Street location.
In brief remarks, Hinds pointed out that in 2008 alone the amount of foreign currency expended to import fossil-based energy was about 43% of the country’s declared official Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and equivalent to US$400M.
He emphasized that when the price of fuel had skyrocketed last year everyone was focused on coping but he noted that this new conservation drive is timely to bring to people’s attention the need to make changes so that they could be insulated against any similar increases in oil prices.
Meanwhile Sharma pointed out that as part of the campaign the agency has developed four brochures which provide energy conservation tips for lighting, appliances, transportation and building design.
The energy efficient lighting brochure provides tips on choosing lamps, the use of focused and general lighting and the benefits of using energy efficient lamps.
The one on appliances provides information on the importance of unplugging appliances, use of switch outlets, maintenance of appliances and caution when using certain appliances that consume large amounts of energy.
Sharma emphasized that it was imperative that opportunities for the reduced use of energy be utilized and he pointed to the low carbon development strategy which is being embarked upon to address the inescapable threats of climate change to the world at large.
He noted too that lifestyle choices which result in energy saving would also help to reduce the cost of energy while simultaneously allowing every citizen to play a critical role in helping to protect the environment.
“We believe that there are many opportunities which exist for the reduction of energy use and they do not require lifestyle changes as some may think… simple things like turning off the lights when not in use,” he said.
He also shared tips for lowering fuel consumption in motor vehicles and suggestions for building designs to help reduce electricity costs and promote a healthier and more environmentally friendly home.
He acknowledged that these are messages which are already well known but noted that the GEA is giving additional information thorough the media.
And to complement its campaign, the GEA has also re-launched its website at www.gea.gov.gy.
This website, Sharma stated, has a wealth of information regarding energy development and statistics and allows visitors to download the four energy conservation brochures.
Also a blog has been added to the website to encourage interaction and the sharing of ideas and experiences.
Sharma however pointed out that for the programme to work effectively, every stakeholder would have to be proactive and embrace the energy saving revolution. He also observed that new patterns of energy consumption need to become embedded in daily routines rather than being practised only when there is an energy crisis looming.
GEA observed Environ-mental Week last week under the theme, ”Your planet needs you … unite to combat climate change”.
