Transforming Agriculture through Renewable Energy & Innovation

In a major milestone for Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and senior ministers inspected the newly commissioned solar-powered cold storage units at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

The system, successfully implemented by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), serves as a high-efficiency demonstration of how renewable energy can revolutionize post-harvest management. During the visit, the TERI team, which led the project’s technical implementation, presented the units to the Guyana President and conducted a comprehensive technical walkthrough, highlighting the system’s operational efficiency and its transformative potential for the agricultural value chain. The installed solar-powered cold storage units have been operational for over ten months and are equipped with IoT technology. A key highlight of the project was the successful Knowledge Transfer (KT) spearheaded with EMC and NAREI, ensuring the long-term sustainability and local management of these advanced systems.

The President expressed high appreciation for the technical execution by the TERI team, noting that this infrastructure is a critical step in reducing food waste and lowering operational costs for Guyanese farmers.

Expanding the Vision:

The success of this initial unit has already paved the way for immediate growth:

• National Expansion: Following this demo, five additional systems are currently being installed at strategic NAREI locations across the country.
• Regional Leadership: The President is keen to implement this model not only nationwide but across CARICOM nations, positioning Guyana as a regional hub for sustainable agritech.
• Advanced Agricultural Inputs: The visit also highlighted the vital collaboration with TERI on nano-fertilizers. By integrating advanced fertilizers with solar cold chains, we are maximizing yields and ensuring long-term food security.

By replacing conventional diesel or grid-dependent cooling with solar PV technology, Guyana is significantly reducing its carbon footprint while empowering local producers. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to a circular economy and green energy transition.