Stop plans to have GPL and Dominican Republic’s power company sign agreement – APNU tells govt.

Jul 19, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has cautioned the government against the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) signing an agreement with the Dominican Republic’s Company InterEnergy Group Limited (LEG). That company has been earmarked to assist GPL in stabilizing power generation and delivery.

APNU made the call on Friday noting that should a deal be struck with LEG there would be severe implications for the hundreds of staff employed by GPL.

Executive Member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the largest political party in the coalition Ganesh Mahipaul said that, “The APNU Coalition has noted with deep concern and alarm the circulation of a draft Public-Private Partnership Agreement between the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) and InterEnergy Group Limited (IEG), dated June 26, 2025. This Agreement is reportedly awaiting signatures of the Chairman of the GPL Board, and Mr. Rolando Gonzalez-Bunster, Chairman of InterEnergy Group,” the politician said.

Mahipaul is arguing that the government’s agreement to sign the agreement raises “profound and troubling concerns” for Guyana, citing that the deal is shrouded in secrecy and lacks transparency as it was not the subject of public consultations and scrutiny.

“Such secrecy undermines democratic governance and public accountability and is clearly another PPP corrupt deal aimed at benefiting PPP family, friends and favourites,” Mahipaul stated.

The coalition member said the way the agreement appears to be structured it is likely that hundreds of workers attached to GPL and Power Producers and Distributors Inc (PPDI) will lose their jobs. This he said will result in the workers being paid severance and the restructuring costs unfairly landing on the taxpayers of the country.

A move he believes would be “corrupt, unacceptable and unjust.”

Mahipaul told reporters that there will be “foreign control and limited oversight as InterEnergy Group, based on its prior record of accomplishment, has had significant operational issues, notably a reported 300% increase in power outages under its watch in Jamaica and serious allegations of fraud previously directed against its chairman. It is alarming that such a company would be granted broad control over Guyana’s critical national energy infrastructure, particularly procurement and contractor selection. This is unacceptable and must be brought to an end at once.”

Given these concerns, the APNU is asking the government to urgently bring the “corrupt deal” to an end and to not take any further action in regards to it as elections are scheduled for September 1, 2025.

The party is also demanding the government makes public the full text of the agreement and provide the independent technical and financial assessment that was done and the name of the company that did the studies.

The APNU is also urging that the government to, “Desist from engaging with any company or conducting any business on behalf of the people of Guyana especially with significant implications for the workers of GPL and the people of Guyana.”

He continued: “The PPP/C has damaged our country way too much and it is time to bring an end to it.”

Mahipaul sought to assure GPL workers that under an APNU-led government, they will have no reason to fear they will lose their jobs.

“Starting September 2025, an APNU Coalition government will ensure that GPL staff are still employed and receive improved working conditions reflective of their important role in powering our nation,” he added.

Meanwhile, the politician assured that the country’s Gas-to-Energy project will be completed and properly managed under an APNU government, noting that it will influence significantly reduced electricity costs, provide new employment opportunities and strengthen the country’s national energy security.

“The time for backdoor deals, secrecy, and uncertainty is long gone. Guyanese deserve honesty, accountability, and transparency from their government. GPL employees deserve stability, respect, and improved conditions,” Mahipaul emphasized.

He continued: “an APNU Coalition government will put people first, protect local jobs, and deliver transparent, accountable, and responsible governance that secures the prosperity and dignity of every Guyanese.”

Over the years the GPL has been operating at a loss and failing to meet most of its performance targets.

In May, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has given GPL a low score for its operating standards and performance targets for 2024, but noted that it will not impose any penalty on the power company, but will continue to closely monitor and scrutinise its quarterly operations in 2025.

The commission at its annual public hearing on March 13 at Herdsmanston Lodge, Georgetown, reviewed the power company’s performance and operations targets for 2024. The commission said it was dissatisfied with GPL’s non-compliance and apparent passive approach to the targets.

The review was measured using eight standards: customer interruptions, voltage regulation, meter reading, issuing of bills, accounts payable, accounts receivable, system losses, and average availability.

The PUC said, notwithstanding the company’s failures, GPL has articulated several external factors such as recurring damage to infrastructure by vehicles and equipment, a global software upgrade and electricity theft, which have contributed to the company’s failure to meet some of the performance indicators.

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• APNU, deal, DR Company, GPL. InterEnergy

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