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GPL installs new power line at West Bank Demerara – residents testify of improved service
The Guyana Power and Light Inc. has completed the installation of a new 13,800 Volts Express Feeder (distribution line) from Vriesland to the Vreed-en-Hoop Power Plant (VEH). According to information released by the power company, the new and improved distribution line, which spans a distance of over 16 kilometers, has been enhancing the livelihood of residents.
Joseph Gomes, resident of Stanleytown Village is happy for the improved distribution line
This project was executed in August, in a record breaking four weeks at a cost of $80M. Prior to this initiative, the residents in the areas now benefiting were affected by frequent low voltage supply as well as power outages and suffered its associated consequences.
With the new distribution line in place GPL said that thousands of residential and commercial customers on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD) are benefitting from improved service delivery, that is, voltage quality. Several residents have expressed satisfaction with the upgrade in their communities.
Joseph Gomes from Stanleytown, said that he is happy for the improvement in his village. He stressed that the previous frequent power outages and low voltages that he experienced caused him discomfort and affected his daily chores. “I am so happy for the new development in this community, things were very bad with the blackouts and low voltage,” Gomes said.
In neighbouring La Grange, A. Curry shared similar sentiments about the electricity situation in her village. She explained that her community is no longer experiencing frequent blackouts and low voltage, particularly since the distribution of smart meters. Curry said, “The electricity really changed in this community. My appliances are getting proper electricity now and things are better. People [are] now getting smart meters so that also help with the voltage, cause is less people on the system. Overall things improve.”
Meanwhile, S. Singh from Patentia said that it was a good idea to install a new line in the
Nell Thomas resides in Wales and suggested that there is still room for improvement by the power company
A La Grange consumer who is happy that the village is not receiving frequent blackouts
area to improve electricity distribution. He said, “For years we have been experiencing low voltage and a steady blackout. Me glad that them put in the new line, it good and it will make things a lot better for us. So far the blackouts reduce a little.”
Although Nell Thomas, a resident of Wales, said that there is still room for improvement, he said that he was especially grateful that electricity distribution in his community is more stable. “We happy because things really improved recently. We not getting a steady blackout and the voltage alright, and I’m happy because I does watch the sports them, and sometimes in the heat of things you does get blackout, but that ease up. They still have more work to do to make things 100% better though,” Thomas said.
Other residents from villages including Bagotville and Vriesland also commented on the improvements in their communities.
Prior to the installation of the feeder, power supply to customers on the West Bank of Demerara were supported with the importation of approximately 3 MW from the Garden-of-Eden (GOE) Power Plant via the Craig to Vriesland submarine cable link. This was inadequate and often resulted in low voltage and power cuts.
This new line will also allow maintenance activities to be carried out with limited interruptions.
Subsequently, this project will see the installation of capacitors and voltage regulators on both feeders in the short term and the construction of a new 69 kV substation at Wales with connecting 69 kV lines to VEH and GOE, GPL said in a press statement.
These initiatives, the statement added, will bring further benefits to customers on the West Bank, as well as the wider Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS). According to GPL too, it intends to ensure sufficient and available capacity to meet this demand, while at the same time improving the quality of its supply to all customers.
“Electricity remains one of the most powerful forces in our lives and the demand for a reliable supply of electricity continues to grow rapidly, particularly with the development of new housing schemes and the expansion of businesses. In this regard, the power company has since implemented and executed several new initiatives to bolster its services to new and existing customers.”
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