THE Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) is on the brink of a significant breakthrough as a pivotal power supply ship is set to arrive today.

The arrival of the vessel heralds a new era in the company’s efforts to enhance its electricity distribution network, and mitigate frequent power outages.

The timely arrival of this vessel marks a crucial milestone in GPL’s mission to stabilise and improve its services, with a keen focus on reducing disruptions in power supply across the nation.

Kesh Nandlall, Head of GPL’s Executive Management Committee, revealed that the collaboration between the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the power company has been instrumental in ensuring the seamless docking of the vessel, strategically timed to meet the impending May 8 deadline for connecting the 36-megawatt power supply ship to the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) at Everton, Berbice.

Nandlall expressed confidence in GPL’s readiness, stating, “We’re almost complete with our network set up,” emphasising the company’s dedication to meeting its targets and improving service reliability.

Once connected, the power supply ship is expected to operate at a remarkable 96 per cent availability, and will be integrated into GPL’s grid at 69 kilovolts (kV). The recent contract signed with Urbacon Concessions Investments, W.L.L (UCI) underscores GPL’s commitment to securing sustainable energy solutions. Under the terms of the agreement, GPL will pay a monthly charter fee of 6.62 US cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the power ship, along with an operation and maintenance fee based on electricity generation.

Preparations for the vessel’s arrival have been meticulous, with GPL advertising for the rental of a barge to transport and store Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) from Kingston, Georgetown/Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD), to Everton, Berbice. This move reflects GPL’s proactive approach to ensuring seamless operations and fuel supply for the power ship.

The persistent power outages, attributed to various factors, including aging infrastructure and increased demand, have underscored the urgent need for infrastructural upgrades within GPL’s network. In response, the utility company is actively exploring renewable energy options, and is poised to embrace the government’s gas-to-energy project, which aims to supply around 300 megawatts of power by the last quarter of 2024.

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has reassured citizens that energy costs will not escalate due to the rental of the power supply ship, highlighting the government’s commitment to stable and affordable energy solutions.

As Guyana strides towards energy stability and sustainability, the arrival of this power supply ship marks a significant step forward in GPL’s journey towards delivering reliable and efficient electricity services to its customers nationwide.