VICE President Bharrat Jagdeo’s statement that he is “tired of excuses” from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) management is a timely recognition of an issue that has impacted Guyanese for years.

The Vice President’s clear admission that “I don’t think the current management can lead that process, that they can address all of the issues” marks an important moment for Guyana’s energy sector.

With the government investing over US$400 million in transmission infrastructure and preparing for the major 300-megawatt gas-to-energy project, it would indeed be “stupid,” as Jagdeo stated, to keep the same management that has overseen years of unreliable power supply.

The long list of excuses from GPL has become tiresome, including lightning strikes, rat infestations, and transformer failures. Meanwhile, Guyanese households and businesses continue to suffer through prolonged blackouts.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s earlier warning that “heads will roll” if improvements aren’t seen by the first quarter of 2025 clearly went unheeded.

The current management has had enough time and resources to show they can do the job, yet peak demand of 205 megawatts still stresses a system designed to handle current loads comfortably.

The scope of Guyana’s energy transformation needs leadership that can rise to the occasion. We are not just maintaining an aging grid; we are developing a modern, smart electricity system that will support our oil-driven economic growth. The US$422 million transmission upgrade, the largest infrastructure investment in GPL’s history, needs oversight that understands international standards and can provide good value for money.

The Dominican Republic’s InterEnergy Group, which has proven skills in regional power systems, represents the kind of technical ability that GPL’s management should have but clearly does not.

Critics might argue that changing management during such a crucial time would create instability. However, keeping leadership that hasn’t succeeded while investing billions in infrastructure poses a much greater risk.

The PPP/C government’s gas-to-energy project, along with planned solar and hydro developments, will fundamentally change how electricity is produced and distributed in Guyana. This change requires strong leadership that can think strategically.