Latest update September 23rd, 2026 10:03 AM
GPL says grid upgrades will ease blackouts, handle Gas-to-Energy power
(Kaieteur News) – The frequent blackouts being experienced by customers over the past few months will soon be alleviated as new infrastructure to modernise the electricity grid comes on stream, Team Lead at the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), Kesh Nandlall, said on Sunday.
Speaking to the hosts of the Starting Point Podcast, Nandlall addressed a range of issues, including GPL’s readiness to handle the 300MW expected to come fully on-stream next year from the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project, maintenance of generating sets and how the company plans to meet the country’s rapidly growing demand for electricity.
Team Lead at the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), Kesh Nandlall
He noted that peak electricity demand, which stood at 125MW in 2020, has more than doubled to 255MW six years later. Despite the sharp increase in demand, Nandlall said the distribution system has not changed significantly, resulting in pressure on the existing network.
“So, the growth in the demand is creating and taxing the network, the distribution network, and we are seeing overloaded networks. We are seeing transformers overload and we are working very much around the clock to assist and to fix those issues,” he said.
Nandlall said GPL has a longer-term programme aimed at addressing the challenges, noting that the company’s customer base has also increased significantly, from 201,000 in 2020 to approximately 250,000 currently.
He attributed the rapid growth in electricity demand to the expansion of other sectors, including housing and manufacturing, noting that economic growth brings with it an increased need for energy.
However, he said investments in the power sector take time, as transmission lines and other infrastructure cannot be built overnight. “Right now, our investment is approximately US$800 million in investment that we are building out infrastructure which are going to come on stream very shortly and it will alleviate the problem. It will not solve all the problems, but it will alleviate the problem significantly when these infrastructures are in place,” Nandlall said.
Asked whether Guyana could be free from power outages by the middle of next year, Nandlall said outages should be reduced once the necessary maintenance is completed. He acknowledged, however, that the grid is not yet redundant. According to Nandlall, if the work progresses at a steady pace, the grid should become redundant by 2030, allowing GPL to operate a fully smart system with minimal interruptions.
On whether the distribution system would be capable of handling the full 300MW expected from the Wales Gas-to-Energy Project, Nandlall said the contracts for the grid modernisation programme were structured to prioritise the delivery of energy.
“As GPL completes its upgrades and puts in the infrastructure work, then we’ll see more of that power coming from the Gas-to-Energy project. We’ll be able to take off more of the power,” he said. Nandlall noted that the first phase of the Gas-to-Energy project is expected to deliver 300MW, while a second phase at Wales could provide another 300MW. “Provided that is available, I don’t see an issue in that regard. That needs to come on stream,” he said.
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