Phase two of GPL’s infrastructure project to address transmission losses

Jul 26, 2017 News

The second phase of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL)’s Infrastructure Development Project is expected to begin shortly, according to Chairman Robert Badal. In an interview yesterday, Badal said that the second phase will address a number of issues relating to the transmission and distribution network.
He said that the main scope of the project is to run additional transmission lines, providing new substations and upgrading existing substations to improve their capacity.
Based on documentation provided by Badal, the project puts GPL in a position to minimize its operational cost by replacing a lot of the diesel-powered generators with those powered by Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO).
The paperwork indicated that further investments in transmission lines and substations were critical for the maximization of benefits to be achieved as a result of using HFO-fuelled generators.
According to the project description, the reality of the present situation faced by the power company is that without new substations to provide new feeders, GPL would have to eventually load shed due to distribution inadequacies.
These inadequacies relate to overloading of circuits, chronic voltage problems and the increase of feeder faults. Further, the project will include the design, supply of materials and construction of new 69 kilovolts (kV) transmission lines and 69/13.8kV substations, together with the provision of vacuum circuit breakers for distribution feeders and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).
As it relates to transmission, the project caters for the construction of four single circuit 69kV transmission lines, inclusive of fibre optical cable (OPGW) which will run for approximately 47 kilometres and SCADA system for telemetering and protection.
This will be done from Garden of Eden to Kuru Kururu which measures 12.5km; Vreed-en-Hoop to Canal No.2, 10.5km; Edinburgh to Hydronie-Parika, 19km and Kingston to Sophia, 5km.
Further, there will be the splitting of one existing single circuit 69kV overhead transmission line running from Canefield to No. 53 village, East Berbice, Corentyne, with fibre optic cable to accommodate installation of SCADA system for telemetering, control and protection at Williamsburg and No.53 substations.
The new substations that will be constructed will be at Kuru Kururu, Canal No.2 (now Wales), Hydronie/Parika and Williamsburg on the Corentyne.
Moreover, the existing 69kV substations in Vreed-en-Hoop, Edinburgh, Kingston, Sophia, Garden of Eden and No.53 Village will be expanded and upgraded. Regarding the distribution network, the project will require the installation of 20 15kV class, 630A and vacuum circuit breakers in five substations.
According to Badal, the new substations will result in reduced losses for the company and ensure better voltage quality rather than fluctuations. The GPL Chairman said that the first phase of the project came to an end in 2014.
Specifically, phase one of the project was commissioned on December 17, 2014 based on information on GPL’s website. Based on information available, in October 2009, China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) and GPL had agreed that the Chinese company would build seven 69/13.8kV substations, rehabilitate three existing substations, erect 120km of overhead high voltage lines and install the SCADA system.
As a result of this, the Demerara-Berbice interconnected system was established.
Following the completion of phase one, however, works done appeared to be fraught with problems. A report done on the project by Caribbean Engineering and Management Consultants (CEMCO) said that there were a number of delays in completing the contract as it relates to finalizing changes in the scope of works for the substations and difficulty in locally procuring poles for the construction of the transmission lines. The cost of this leg of the project was US$9M (approx. G$1.8B).

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Phase two of GPL’s infrastructure project to address transmission losses

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