Solar Power and Better Transport Bring Real Change to Guyana’s Hinterland

Guyanese living in the hinterland are experiencing a meaningful shift in their daily lives as government investments in electricity and transportation continue to roll out. Nearly 30,000 interior households now have dependable light through the distribution of 150-watt solar photovoltaic systems, giving many remote families their first consistent source of home power. The initiative aims to narrow the long-standing energy gap between coastal and interior communities.Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, said on the Starting Point podcast that these solar units are doing more than just providing light—they are improving livelihoods, productivity and access to essential services. From 2020 to 2023, solar systems were also installed at health posts, schools, community hubs and agro-processing facilities, reinforcing Guyana’s push toward clean, low-carbon energy.Transportation upgrades are also reshaping life in the hinterland. Edghill noted that Region Two residents once had to wake up before dawn to catch a 5 a.m. steamer to Parika, race through their errands, then scramble to make the 3 p.m. return trip or risk finding last-minute lodging. With an additional daily trip now added to the route, movement has become easier and more flexible. On busy days, services increase from three to four sailings, and during peak periods they run up to six.The minister emphasised that the combined focus on energy and transport is part of a broader effort to deliver equal development across the country, allowing families in remote areas to access better opportunities and enjoy a higher quality of life.