Written by: Anaya Willabus ’28
Welcome to our weekly edition of Good News Friday! Today, we’re covering the Just Energy Transition (JET) Seed Funding Initiative launched by the United Nations in Guyana.
The program, which officially began on Feb. 17, 2025, indicates crucial progress toward the nation’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) for 2030. JET will support efforts to expand the nation’s renewable energy capacity and promote sustainable economic mobility.
Financial backing for the initiative is being provided by the Joint Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Fund, which enables countries to accelerate their progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. According to UN Resident Coordinator Jean Kamau, JET targets SDGs 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 13 (Climate Action).
Dr. Mahender Sharma, CEO of the Guyana Energy Agency, stated that more than 220 electric vehicles (EVs) have been imported into the country over the past five years. To further incentivize Guyanese EV purchases, the initiative stipulates that three solar-powered EV charging stations will be installed in regions 5, 6, and 10, which constitute Berbice in the eastern part of the country. This will extend vehicle charging access beyond Georgetown, the nation’s capital.
Additionally, a technical training program will be launched to equip local professionals with the skills needed to maintain and expand Guyana’s renewable energy infrastructure. The program, led by the International Organisation for Migration in collaboration with Guyana’s Board of Industrial Training, aims to empower youth, women, and marginalized groups. By providing training on EV maintenance and repairs, charging station installation and maintenance, and solar photovoltaic system installation, the program will ensure equitable access to the opportunities created by the shift to sustainable energy.
The training provided will not only to educate new employees on how to prepare for the energy transition but will also train them on how to teach others. This will create more green jobs and exponentially extend Guyana’s energy preparation and impact.
JET will support the integration of clean energy solutions into the Guyanese economy. This will play an important role in attaining 80 percent renewable energy in Guyana’s electricity grid by 2040. As the nation continues to experience rapid economic growth, programs like JET are key to ensuring that development remains sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient.
That’s all for this week! Check back next week for more positive environmental news. In the meantime, if you’d like to share some Good News with us, please feel free to get in touch!
Sources:
https://guyanatimesgy.com/over-220-electric-vehicles-imported-within-last-5-years-gea-ceo/