–14 of 17 generators, six step-up transformers installed at Columbia sub-station, says Nandlall

By Feona Morrison
HEAD of the Executive Management Committee of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), Kesh Nandlall has said that the company is “aggressively” reviewing a proposal for the addition of new electricity generation capacity.
This comes amidst growing frustration among consumers over frequent disruptions in power supply, which have adversely impacted businesses and households alike.

In response to a recent surge in power outages across the country, the GPL on Monday installed 14 of 17 generators and six step-up transformers at its sub-station at Columbia, East Coast Demerara (ECD), to bolster its electricity supply capacity.
In a brief interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Nandlall said that the remaining generators would be installed by the end of this week.

Aside from that, he related that preparations are ongoing to source emergency energy, and that the government is still reviewing this initiative.
“We are aggressively reviewing a proposal to bring new power generation to the grid,” Nandlall said.
The US$27 million worth of generators, acquired from Apan Energy Services, is expected to add an estimated 30 megawatts to the national grid.

Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips, who expressed satisfaction with the developments while at the Columbia site, said: “Government remains committed to boosting GPL’s generation capacity and improving its overall service to the people of Guyana.”

The persistent outages, attributed to various factors, including aging infrastructure and increased demand, have underscored the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades within GPL’s network.
Additionally, the utility company is actively exploring renewable energy options as part of its long-term strategy to diversify the energy mix, and reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels.

GPL recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with InterEnergy, a Dominican Republic power company to enhance the management of its electricity services.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali had expressed deep concern over the state of Guyana’s power infrastructure, which is significantly impacted by aged generators, some over 30 years old, compounded by a five-year period of maintenance neglect between 2015 and 2020 under the APNU+AFC government.

According to the Head of State, these issues have resulted in inefficiencies in power generation, thereby exacerbating the shortfall in meeting the nation’s escalating electricity demands.
“As I speak, we are not meeting those demands; we have tremendous difficulties with trucks in construction, accidents hitting the network, causing challenges,” President Ali said.

With an exponential increase in demand anticipated, President Ali revealed projections of an additional 35 megawatts of new demand this year alone, reaching approximately 220 megawatts overall by year-end.
However, the current generating capacity stands around only 165 megawatts, further highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Acknowledging the challenges posed by infrastructural constraints, including difficulties with transportation for construction and accidents affecting the network, President Ali stressed the critical need to address human resource gaps by recruiting more engineers, technicians, and linesmen to strengthen the workforce.