By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo officially opened its doors today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. Under the theme “Building Tomorrow’s Future Today,” the fifth edition of this flagship event has transformed the Kingston waterfront into a global hub for energy and logistics.
With over 10,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors representing 40 countries, the conference is being hailed as a defining moment for Guyana’s industrial and manufacturing ambitions.
Opening Day Highlights
The ceremony began with a high-level opening session featuring regional heads of state and global energy titans.
- Keynote Address: Prime Minister Brigadier (R’td) Mark Phillips delivered the opening keynote, emphasizing that Guyana’s energy strategy is now shifting toward regional energy security and integrated supply chains.
- Energy Giants Speak: Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, and Mike Wirth, Chairman of Chevron, addressed the floor. Routledge noted that the pace of Guyana’s evolution has been “phenomenal,” with the next phase focusing heavily on offshore and onshore infrastructure and human talent.+1
- Suriname & Trinidad Presence: A heavy regional ministerial panel included Patrick Brunings (Suriname) and Dr. Roodal Moonilal (Trinidad and Tobago), highlighting a unified Caribbean approach to energy sovereignty.
Innovation & “Decision Intelligence”
A major trend on the expo floor this year is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into energy logistics.
- The AI Panel: Industry leaders from Halliburton, SLB, and EY are set to discuss how AI is being used to optimize well construction and “decision intelligence” for faster, safer energy production.
- Exhibitor Showcase: Over 190 booths are displaying cutting-edge innovations in solar, wind, and hydro technology alongside traditional oil and gas extraction equipment.
Youth and the Future
Organizers have placed a significant emphasis on the next generation of Guyanese professionals.
- Innovation Challenge: Students from Grades 7 to 11 are participating in a competition to use AI to solve community-specific economic issues.
- Youth Forum: Slated for Friday, February 20, the forum will allow university students to engage in direct Q&A sessions with Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and policymakers.
Community & Logistics
The event kicked off early with the 5K Energy Run/Walk on Sunday, February 15, which drew hundreds of participants to the Marriott Beach. Meanwhile, the Kingston Wharf remains closed to maritime traffic through February 21 to facilitate the seamless movement of heavy equipment and delegates around the Marriott complex.+1
Upcoming Agenda (Wednesday, Feb 18)
- 9:00 AM: Keynote by Attorney General Anil Nandlall on the evolving legal and regulatory framework.
- 10:15 AM: Panel on Climate Finance, featuring Guyana’s world-leading experience in carbon credits and forest resilience.
- Evening: Networking Cocktail sponsored by EY.
