Govt. to secure US$250M to upgrade GPL’s transmission and distribution system

May 06, 2024 News

Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo

Kaieteur News – During a recent press conference, Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed that the Government of Guyana is actively pursuing funding in the range of US$180 million to US$250 million for the enhancement of the Guyana Power & Light (GPL) distribution and transmission system.

Within the scope of the Wales, West Bank Demerara, Gas-to-Energy project, comprising elements like the gas pipeline to bring the gas onshore, the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Plant, and the power plant infrastructure, GPL’s distribution system requires enhancements.

Jagdeo explained that GPL has already submitted their proposal and that government has already indicated that they will fund the project. “So we made it clear we will fund these activities,” Jagdeo said. He mentioned that a contract has been granted to an Indian company, Kalpataru, to transmit power from the plant at Wales to the control centre at Eccles, East Bank Demerara and to Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara. This will enable the distribution of power to various substations and transmission mains, with completion expected by the end of the year.

The Vice President also explained that there are other key components. “One is to build a transmission main to take power to Linden and with a substation to allow distribution of some of the power along the highway to electrify the communities along the highway,” Jagdeo said. For that aspect, he added that the government has already drafted and published the Request for Proposal (RFP).

The other component which calls for about US$250 million, Jagdeo explained is critically needed for upgrades to the distribution and the transmission system to ensure no disruptions. “So then we will have power, more power, but still have blackouts because of the weak transmission system. So that is also a component that they are working on and we will fund that, we will have to fund it,” the Vice President said.

Furthermore, he emphasised the need for urgent action, stating, “That has to start almost immediately, immediately.” He disclosed that the government is looking to have the upgrades financed from a loan or approach the National Assembly for supplementary budget. “It has to be it has to be done. It has to be done before the middle of the year we have to get this done in time for the distribution of the power,” the Vice President added.

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govt, GPL, transmission and distribution system, US$250M

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