Guyana expands sea defenses against coastal erosion
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The Ministry of Public Works in Guyana began a second phase of sea defence construction at Windsor Forest on the West Coast of Demerara.
This new work will add 225 metres to the existing 300 metres of sea defences completed in 2025, aiming to protect against coastal erosion, flooding, and tidal overtopping. Guyana is prioritizing these projects because much of its population and economy depend on the low-lying coastal plain.
Over the past five years, the government has constructed over 35,300 metres of new sea defences and maintained more than 425,800 metres of existing structures. These efforts include restoring over 6,000 hectares of mangroves to provide natural shoreline protection. The country invested approximately $12.6 billion in sea defence projects in 2025, focusing on vulnerable communities like Amsterdam, Bengal, and Buxton. They plan to continue investing with a $11.3 billion allocation for 2026.
Chief Sea and River Defence Officer Kevin Samad reported that work at Cullen on the Essequibo Coast has already protected 750 metres of shoreline, and the Windsor Forest extension contributes to a larger effort to safeguard communities from coastal hazards.
