PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali’s government continues to deliver on its promise of transformation, one that is modern, people-centred and grounded in sustainable national development.

Among the flagship undertakings driving this transformation is the full-scale modernisation of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), a strategic initiative that will redefine how electricity is generated, transmitted, distributed and managed across the country.

Backed by firm government commitment and international expertise, GPL’s Smart Grid Transformation Programme represents one of the most ambitious energy modernisation efforts in the Caribbean. It stands as a testament to the PPP/C administration’s proactive leadership and its vision for a more resilient, inclusive, and technology-driven Guyana.

Affordable and reliable electricity supply has long influenced the pace of Guyana’s industrialisation and the quality of life of its citizens. Recognising this, the government is making substantial investments in the sector, commencing with an allocation of approximately US$779 million to continue reshaping the country’s power infrastructure, transforming it into a world-class utility.

This comprehensive modernisation programme includes an approximate US$422 million for the construction of new substations, transmission and distribution networks; US$313 million for the construction and upgrade of additional substations and transmission lines and US$44 million for the replacement and capacity upgrade of the submarine cable across the Demerara River, interconnecting the Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston substations.

The new double-circuit power cables will be installed, using horizontal directional drilling, at a depth of about 25m below the riverbed, protecting it against disruptions of energy supply from the increasing maritime traffic in the Demerara River.

Included in this new Smart Grid initiative are the construction of 155 kilometres of 230 kilovolts (kV) transmission lines. The developments form part of GPL’s Transmission & Distribution Expansion Programme, which includes 209 kilometres of 69kV sub-transmission lines, 343 kilometres of distribution lines and eight new substations across Regions Three, Four, Five and Six, and upgrades to existing four substations.

The projects will be complemented by advanced technologies, including modern substation supervisory and control equipment, smart meters, advanced metering infrastructure, smart switches, and real-time fault indicators.

GPL is advancing the expansion of its smart-metering systems to connect all customers to the Smart Metering Scheme. The initial rollout of 20,000 smart meters and advanced metering infrastructure is already underway. By 2030, GPL will achieve full, Advanced Metering Infrastructure deployment across its customer base, ensuring complete integration into the Smart Metering System.

This transformation will provide GPL with real-time visibility to remotely monitor service quality and reliability, enabling proactive measures to consistently meet customer expectations. Guyana’s modernisation agenda centres on the Guyana National Control Centre (GNCC), a state-of-the-art facility that will serve as the command hub for the national electricity grid.

At the heart of the GNCC is the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Energy Management System, the core of Guyana’s Smart Grid, which provides real-time monitoring and automated control across the network.

Phase One, currently underway, focuses on centralised supervision of the 230kV and 69kV transmission systems, power plants, and 13.8kV feeder heads, while Phase Two, beginning in 2026, will introduce advanced distribution and renewable-energy management systems, outage- management platforms and predictive analytics to enable full smart-grid functionality by 2030.

With SCADA integrated into the GNCC, the system will enable rapid detection, isolation, and restoration of faults, significantly reducing outages and enhancing grid reliability and resilience.

Fully connected to all existing and new substations and transmission and distribution infrastructure, these upgrades will collectively cut total grid losses by over 50%, lowering operational costs and elevating service quality for all Guyanese.

The ongoing construction of the 300-megawatt Wales gas-to-energy (GTE) power plant—featuring modern control systems, battery storage and supporting transmission and distribution infrastructure—marks a transformative step toward reducing electricity tariffs by 50% upon its completion in 2026, a critical catalyst for sustaining Guyana’s economic growth.

Building on this foundation, Phase Two of the GTE projects, currently under evaluation, will add another 300 megawatts and deliver full interconnection and integration with the national grid at 230kV and 69kV, as well as the Guyana National Control Centre, while expanding high-voltage infrastructure to link new substations along the West Coast of Demerara and East Bank of Essequibo, extending to Bartica and surrounding areas to ensure reliable, affordable energy access.

Further, Phase Three envisions an additional 300-megawatt GTE power plant at Palmyra, Corentyne, Berbice, with similar integration into the national grid and GNCC, alongside high-voltage system expansion to connect new substations near Palmyra and Canefield, reinforcing grid resilience and nationwide energy security.

Complementing these efforts, the Government of Guyana and GPL are advancing grid integration and reliability by interconnecting Linden with the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) through new substations at Garden of Eden, Bamia, McKenzie, and Wismar, strengthening system resilience and improving service quality across regions.

In September, President Ali, at a press conference, underscored that the gas-to-energy project is not only an infrastructural investment, but also a catalyst for national competitiveness. This project will dramatically lower production costs for manufacturers, encourage industrial diversification and enhance Guyana’s attractiveness as a regional investment hub. This is part of the government’s broader strategy to build an energy-secure state, where the cost of doing business steadily declines while productivity and job creation rise.

To ensure world-class execution and sustainability, the government has engaged InterEnergy Holdings (UK) to provide technical oversight, capacity building and management modernisation across GPL. This partnership, costing significantly less than traditional supervision arrangements, will oversee contract management, project integration and workforce training, which will ensure that the smart-grid transformation delivers measurable results, efficiency, and professional excellence.

The energy sector’s transformation reflects the government’s broader efforts to modernise public services through digitisation and innovation. Citizens will now be able to access services such as passport applications and acquisition, healthcare, and education more efficiently, embodying President Ali’s vision of a responsive, citizen-focused administration.

The GPL modernisation exemplifies this proactive governance, evident in new hospitals, digital health systems, e-passports, and expanded education. More than technology, it promises fairness, access, and empowerment—building a reliable, affordable energy grid that benefits every household and community, supporting a development philosophy centred on people.