PM commissions solar farm at Aurora Gold Mine

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips, on Wednesday commissioned the Aurora Solar Farm at the Aurora Gold Mine site in Region Seven, which he described as a landmark investment that reduces reliance on diesel and strengthens Guyana’s national push towards cleaner, sustainable energy.

The Prime Minister noted that the facility will cut approximately 46,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, while generating a significant amount of electricity. “This level of generation reduces reliance on diesel fuel and results in significant emissions reductions.”

He added that the installation also contributes to reductions in sulfur and nitrogen oxides, while strengthening the operation’s environmental profile.

The solar farm, one of the largest in Guyana, integrates a system that balances generation and storage in real time to maintain a steady and dependable power supply. He said the project will transform operations at Aurora Gold Mine, which previously relied fully on diesel‑generated electricity.

Beyond the environmental benefits, Prime Minister Phillips noted that about 100 local jobs were created during construction, with Guyanese workers gaining practical training in renewable energy systems, battery storage, and microgrid management. “These are skills that will remain relevant as Guyana continues to expand its use of renewable energy.”

The project, he added, is aligned with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, showing how renewable energy can be integrated into industrial operations, even in remote areas. He pointed to the commissioning of the solar facility at Charity earlier this year as part of the Guyana Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic Programme, which supports solar farms across multiple regions and contributes to a more resilient and diversified energy system.

“These investments are complemented by grid upgrades, battery storage, and additional energy projects aimed at reducing costs and improving reliability across the country.”