With the arrival of three heavy duty generators which will significantly boost the electricity supply, Guyana Power and Light Project Manager, Lennox McGreggor said that the Finland firm, Wartsila, has commenced project implementation at the plant site, Kingston, Georgetown.

One of the three generators at the site in Kingston yesterday.

The Project Manager noted that the model of the generators is similar to those at the new Skeldon Factory in Berbice, but bigger.

He explained that with the plant up and running GPL will retire the 2.7 mega watts Caterpillar generators sets.

Mr. McGreggor said that the Caterpillar generators were not made for base loading, but the 20.7 mega watts generators will indeed reduce the company’s operational cost because they use heavy fuel oil which is half as expensive as diesel.

As a result, GPL will not have to raise tariffs. Also consumers will see a marked reduction in black-outs and load shedding.

On May 31st, 2009, the three generators valued US$30M were transported to the GPL Kingston Project site.

GPL has generating facilities at 10 locations, all of them, with the exception of one at Bartica, are located on the coastal belt.