WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

Guadeloupe, Martinique, and La Réunion from
renewable sources by 2020, and that exemplary
programmes, specific to each department, shall
subsequently be developed with the end goal of
achieving energy independence by 2030”. 4
In addition, French Guiana has a Regional
Development Strategy (La Stratégie Régionale de
Développement pour la Guyane), which identifies the
challenges and solutions of the region, such as basic
infrastructure, local employment and endogenous
economic development. Under the development of
infrastructure, the issue of access to energy is
addressed. This section aims to achieve access to
energy and a self-sufficient status “by developing
local, green sources: biomass, hydropower, wind
turbines and solar”. 7
guyane.com/en/n%C2%B04/renewable-energy-what-
does-the-future-hold-for-french-guiana/
5. République Francaise, Ministère des Outres-Mer.
Homepage. Available from www.outre-mer.gouv.fr/
6. Voltalia (2010). The 2009 financial year. Matoury.
Available from
www.voltalia.com/contenu/sites/voltalia/contenu_site
/cms/media/file/CP%20VOLTALIA%20cpt%202505V2%
20GB.pdf.
7. Kolodziejski, M. and K. Rudolf (2011). Economic,
Social and Territorial Situation of French Guiana.
European Parliament.
Barriers to small hydropower development
The trepidation of a re-occurrence of the El Nino
phenomenon plays a crucial role in the Government’s
decisions to increase dependence on small hydro and
as a whole as an energy source. The geographical
barrier stems from the specialty of French Guiana,
which has a vast landmass with clearly separated
coastal and inland areas, coupled with a flat
topography, which makes it more difficult to develop
small hydropower. 4 However, French Guiana is faced
with other challenges that strongly hinder the
development of small hydropower, more so than
natural climatic variations. 4
The most important factors that impose on
development are geographical isolation and high
demographic growth. Borders with Brazil and
Suriname suffer from a lack of control which results in
high crime rates preventing foreign investment in the
region. 6 Also, lacking incentives and technical
standardization as well as the low population density
makes it difficult and less attractive to develop small
hydropower. 6 7
References
1. Climatezone.com (2004). French Guiana. Available
from www.climate-zone.com/climate/french-guiana/.
2. Metéo France. Le climat Guyanais (n.d.). Matoury.
Available from
www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/antilles/packpublic/meteoPLUS/climat/clim_guy.htm.
3. Électricité de France and Direction des Systemes
Energetiques Insulaires (2012). Bilan Previsionnel de
l’Equilibre Offre/Demande d’Elétricité. Guyane. Paris.
Available from
http://guyane.edf.com/fichiers/fckeditor/Commun/SEI
/corp/Bilan-previsionnel-2012-Guyane.pdf.
4. Ndoung, Nathalie, Pierre Courtiade, M. Roche and
others. Renewable energy: what does the future hold
for French Guiana? Une Saison en Guyane. Available
from www.une-saison-en-
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