MORE than 220 illegal electricity connections, collectively drawing approximately one megawatt (MW) of power, were uncovered and removed during a three-day enforcement exercise conducted by Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL).
The operation targetted Eccles, Diamond Phase Three, Little Diamond, and sections of Sophia, as the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation and GPL commenced a major nationwide campaign against electricity theft, a press release said.
It added that the exercise was undertaken by GPL’s Loss Reduction Department as part of efforts to reduce electricity losses and ease unnecessary pressure on the national grid.
“Illegal connections place additional pressure on transformers, feeders and other critical infrastructure, contributing to system overloads, equipment failures and power disruptions,” the ministry stated in its release on Thursday.
It added that unauthorised connections also expose residents, GPL employees, and emergency responders to serious risks, including electrocution and electrical fires.
The ministry and GPL reminded the public that electricity theft is both dangerous and unlawful, while urging persons with unauthorised connections to visit GPL and regularise their electricity service.
“GPL will continue conducting loss-reduction exercises in communities across the country as part of its commitment to improving the efficiency, reliability and safety of the electricity system,” the release stated.
Guyana’s electricity consumption has nearly doubled in six years, and the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System recorded a fresh peak of just over 242 megawatts, up from about 221 megawatts a year ago.
It has been reported that August, September, and October will be the hottest stretch of the year, with air-conditioning units and other appliances driving the heaviest use between 19:00hrs (7 pm) and 21:00hrs (9 pm) each evening.
According to the press release, planners expect peak demand to keep climbing towards roughly 266 megawatts before the season is out.
Part of the strain is simply growth: GPL’s customer base has expanded from around 204,000 connections in 2020 to about 250,000 today, alongside a boom in housing and commercial activity.
