GPL IMPLEMENTING INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS RECORD ELECTRICITY DEMAND

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is implementing immediate and long-term interventions to strengthen the electricity network as Guyana experiences record-high electricity demand, driven by the prevailing hot and dry conditions and continued growth in the housing, commercial and industrial sectors.

The current energy situation and measures being implemented were outlined during a media briefing led by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips. The briefing also included Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Hon. Deodat Indar; Head of GPL’s Executive Management Committee, Kesh Nandlall; Divisional Director – Projects, Ryan Ross; and Divisional Director – QHSE & Generation, Gary Hall.

During the briefing, it was disclosed that peak demand on the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) has reached 242.6 megawatts (MW), compared with 221 MW in 2025, and is projected to reach 266 MW by the end of October, during the peak period for electricity consumption. GPL’s customer base has also increased from 204,000 in 2020 to 250,000, with 5,000 new customers added during the first seven months of 2026.

The briefing also provided an overview of demand, available capacity and network challenges across several regions:

• Region Two: Demand has increased from 8 MW in 2025 to 12.5 MW, while 22 MW of capacity is available, comprising 17 MW of installed generation capacity and 5 MW of battery storage associated with the solar farms.
• Region Three: Demand has increased from 26 MW to 41 MW, while the Vreed-en-Hoop Power Plant has 26.1 MW of installed generation capacity. As an immediate intervention, GPL will install an armoured cable across the Demerara River to increase power transfer capacity to Region Three and reduce the load on the existing submarine cable. Additionally, GPL will install a new 180 MW HDD underground cable 75 feet below the Demerara River, designed to facilitate the transfer of power between Regions Three and Four.
• Region Four: Sections of the East Coast and East Bank are experiencing network constraints, as some feeders designed to carry 8–9 MW have reached their thermal capacity limits due to increased demand. GPL has already undertaken load redistribution and will construct additional feeders to improve reliability. These works form part of existing contracts for the construction of hundreds of kilometres of new distribution feeders.
• Region Six: GPL is addressing voltage fluctuations caused by increased demand and network constraints. 2.2 MW of additional generation is being deployed and will be available by Sunday, while a 4.5 MW generating unit at Canefield, which is currently undergoing maintenance, is expected to return to service within two weeks.
• Bartica: Available generation capacity currently stands at 5.3 MW against demand of 3.6 MW. An additional 2.2 MW generating unit has been installed, which will increase generation capacity to 7.5 MW.

GPL currently has 256 MW of reliable generation capacity. An additional 9.3 MW is expected to become available by Monday, while generating assets currently undergoing maintenance are expected to return to service by the end of August. Together, these will provide an additional 24 MW of generation, increasing GPL’s reliable generation capacity to 280 MW by the end of August and providing additional reserve as electricity demand continues to grow.

The Company emphasised that some recent service interruptions are not generation-related, but are linked to sections of the distribution network reaching their thermal capacity limits. Additionally, incidents involving contractors and operators coming into contact with GPL’s network continue to negatively impact the integrity and reliability of the network, resulting in service interruptions to customers. These incidents also pose serious safety risks to operators, GPL personnel and members of the public.

To address these challenges and accommodate growing demand, GPL is undertaking major infrastructure works across Regions Three, Four, Five and Six. These include the construction of 370 kilometres of 230 kV and 69 kV transmission lines and 425 kilometres of distribution feeders, the upgrade and expansion of four existing Substations, and the construction of nine new Substations. These investments are aimed at strengthening the transmission and distribution network and creating a more resilient and reliable electricity grid.

In the interim, GPL is encouraging customers to conserve electricity, particularly between 19:00 hrs and 21:00 hrs, which is the peak period for electricity demand. Government agencies and large customers are also being engaged to reduce electricity consumption during the peak periods.

GPL remains committed to increasing generation capacity while strengthening and modernising the transmission and distribution network to meet Guyana’s rapidly growing electricity demand.