The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has been struggling with multiple challenges, resulting in persistent blackouts that have left citizens frustrated. In a year-end interview, President Dr. Irfaan Ali acknowledged the issues but assured that significant developments are on the horizon to provide relief.
Speaking with women journalists and students, President Ali attributed the increased power demand to ongoing national development, including the construction of thousands of homes and new businesses. This surge, combined with an aging power distribution system, has placed a heavy burden on GPL.
“While we have seen some improvements on the power side, we are still not where we want to be,” President Ali stated. He noted ongoing management weaknesses within the organization and emphasized the government’s commitment to fixing and reinvesting in the entire power infrastructure while ensuring a continuous supply.
The President also pointed out that from 2015 to 2020, there was significant underinvestment in GPL and its primary grid, the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System, under the prior APNU+AFC government. As a result, his administration now faces the formidable challenge of rapidly expanding GPL’s capabilities to meet rising demand.
To address this, the government is investing in new local generators and has sourced additional power from two power ships to handle excess demand. Efforts are also underway to modernize the outdated transmission and distribution network.
Looking ahead, the Wales Gas-to-Energy project is in development, which is expected to add an additional 300 megawatts (MW) of power to the national grid, nearly equivalent to the current generation capacity.
As these initiatives unfold, the administration remains dedicated to improving the reliability of electricity supply and meeting the needs of Guyanese citizens.
