FROM new substations, transmission lines and smart-grid technology, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is undertaking a sweeping overhaul of power generation, especially given that peak demand has jumped from 120 megawatts (MW) in 2020 to 236MW in 2025.

GPL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kesh Nandlall made this disclosure during day three of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo. While part of a panel discussion on the changing power landscape, he elaborated on the company’s plans to ensure that reliable power can be attained across the coast and hinterland.

With more customers coming on to the grid, industrial activity accelerating and housing developments expanding at a fast pace, GPL recognises the need for a system that fixes bottlenecks and improves reliability.

In 2020, the number of customers connected to the grid was approximately 201,000 but now, there are 244,000 customers, which represents a 21 per cent increase in the company’s customer base.

Further, in 2020, GPL outputted 903 gigawatt-hour (GWh), while in 2025, 1,485 GWh was outputted, according to GPL’s CEO. The latest figure represents a 65 per cent increase.

Nandlall noted that with peak demand climbing, GPL had to move swiftly to meet this increase and from 2020 to now, it has added more than 186 MW of capacity.

Explaining that peak demand is expected to climb this year, the GPL CEO said: “We have to equip ourselves to now bridge that gap until the ending of the year, when the gas-to-energy project will become available to us.”

Additionally, he projected peak demand in 2030 to be “1 GWh 650 MW.”

To keep pace, GPL is rolling out an aggressive and modern transmission and distribution expansions, which include constructing 155 kilometres of new 230kV transmission lines to take power to Williamsburg in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) from the gas-to-energy project.

There will also be nine new substations built in strategic locations within the next year.

Some 215 kilometres of 69kV transmission line and more than 200 kilometres of new distribution feeders will also be installed.

There will also be major upgrades to existing facilities in Georgetown and along the coast.

“Everything is going to be built with redundancy,” Nandlall said, noting that the aim is to make power supply more reliable.