GPL targets stronger national grid with river crossing, new substations

Jul 16, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) says excavation of the riverbed tunnel, or “bore,” for its network expansion project is expected to begin within the next two weeks as work on the company’s grid modernisation programme continues to advance.

A “bore” is the excavated tunnel drilled beneath a riverbed using a guided, trenchless method. The technique allows pipelines or conduits to pass beneath a waterway without the need for open trench excavation or disruption to the river.

In a statement on Monday, GPL said significant progress has been made on the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) River Crossing Project.

GPL targets stronger national grid with river crossing, new substations

GPL’s Executive Management led by Team Lead, Kesh Nandlall, Director General of MPUA, Alfonso De Armas, contractors and other stakeholders at the meeting.

On the West Bank, the company said the HDD equipment setup, along with the pipe stringing and welding area, has been completed. On the east bank, mobilisation of HDD equipment began on July 12, while the first shipment of polyethylene (PE) pipes has already arrived. Welding of the PE ducts is expected to begin this week, with the first HDD bore scheduled to commence in approximately 14 days.

GPL said the update was provided during a progress meeting at the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation (MPUA), where Director General Alfonso De Armas, GPL’s executive management led by team lead Kesh Nandlall, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors, and stakeholders from InterEnergy Holdings (IEH) UK reviewed the status of key infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening the national electricity grid.

The company also reported continued progress under its transmission and substation expansion programme. Critical materials for contracts being executed by PowerChina and Kalpataru are currently en route to Guyana, while civil and site preparation works are ongoing.

Upon completion, the programme will deliver eight new substations and expand several existing facilities, significantly improving the reliability, flexibility and efficiency of the national transmission network.

Meanwhile, engineering and design work has officially begun on GPL’s 30 MW/60 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which is scheduled for completion by March 2027. According to GPL, the project will enhance grid stability, improve operational resilience and support the integration of additional energy resources into the national grid.

Progress was also reviewed on the Primary Distribution Feeder Programme, under which contractors CMC, PowerChina and Kalpataru will construct 55 new primary distribution feeders spanning approximately 368 kilometres across Regions Three, Four, Five and Six. GPL said the programme will increase network capacity, improve service reliability, reduce outages and meet the country’s growing electricity demand.

Nandlall said the continued advancement of the projects reflects GPL’s commitment to building a stronger and more modern electricity system.

“These projects represent a transformational investment in Guyana’s electricity infrastructure. As we continue to modernize the grid, we are creating a stronger, more resilient, and efficient power system that will deliver improved reliability for customers while supporting the country’s expanding development agenda,” he said.

GPL said it will continue working with the Government of Guyana, the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, contractors and development partners to ensure the timely completion of the projects, which form part of its long-term vision of providing safe, reliable and sustainable electricity nationwide.

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excavation, GPL, riverbed, West Bank

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