Latest update November 1st, 2026 10:07 AM
GPL’s US$40M transmission lines project over-budget
– Chinese contractor forced to import 600 pine poles
A major US$40M project to run new transmission lines along the coastlands of Demerara and Berbice is set to be completed this month-end with expectations high for an improvement in performance by the state-owned electricity company.
GPL’s CEO,
Bharat Dindyal
Speaking on Friday during a public session on performance of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) for 2013 and for the first three months of this year, Chief Executive Officer, Bharat Dindyal, was upbeat, speaking about the capabilities.
With seven new sub-stations, GPL will have the capabilities of zeroing on particular areas that have voltage fluctuations and even be able to fix the problem from the control centre.
Within weeks, a cable that will for the first time link Berbice and Demerara will be operational, helping to stabilize power to the troubled Ancient County.
Regarding the US$40M project, which included running new transmission lines, Dindyal disclosed that the Chinese contractors were forced to import around 600 pine poles as GPL faced shortage of wallaba poles.
This and other factors would have caused to project to go over budget by around US$450,000 ($90M).
Work is also being done to buy two new engines for Wakenaam and Leguan, two farming islands in the Essequibo River which have been facing an inconsistent supply. It is the expectation that the power supply will improve to a 24-hour service.
At Bartica, Region Seven, a new power plant will be constructed that will see three engines being laid down in another area. This is expected next year.
At Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast in Region Two, another power plant is set to be constructed there to replace the aging Wartsila engine that is nearing its 20 years lifespan. It was commissioned in 1995.
Meanwhile, a US$26M new Wartsila plant at Vreed-en-Hoop is expected to be up and running in August with construction in full swing.
The 26mw plant also comes with a new fuel wharf which is being constructed on the left
One of GPL’s new sub-station- at Columbia, Mahaicony.
bank of the Demerara River at Vreed-en-Hoop, an area opposite Stabroek. It has been tough going for the contractor, BK International, with the area a swampy one, GPL has said.
With that 26mw plant in operation, GPL estimates that the 106mw that will be available will be enough to supply the coastlands until the advent of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, an initiative that the Government is banking on.
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