Recent Posts
February 23, 2026
February 23, 2026
February 23, 2026
Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL)’s investment of US$720 million in a major expansion and modernisation programme is aimed at making electricity supply across the country more reliable, efficient, and customer-focused.
Speaking at the Energy Conference & Supply Chain Expo, GPL Head of the Executive Management Committee, Kesh Nandlall, highlighted the company’s efforts to modernise the national grid with smart technologies and upgraded infrastructure. A key component is the new Guyana National Control Centre, equipped with a state-of-the-art SCADA system to enhance real-time monitoring, operational control, and overall grid reliability.
Over the past five years, Guyana has experienced a rapid surge in electricity demand. According to GPL, peak demand has risen from 120 megawatts in 2020 to 236 megawatts in 2025, representing a 100 per cent increase. The utility has also seen a 21 per cent rise in new customer connections during the same period and added 186 megawatts of generation capacity to meet demand.
Nandlall said the utility is moving towards cleaner energy sources, with the Gas-to-Energy Power Plant expected to replace heavy fuel oil with natural gas. This transition is projected to significantly reduce emissions while improving generation efficiency. GPL is preparing its transmission and distribution systems to handle 300 megawatts from the Gas-to-Energy Project and is facilitating the rollout of its second and third phases. Additionally, the utility will integrate a new 165-megawatt hydroelectric plant, further diversifying Guyana’s energy mix.
Infrastructure expansion is a central part of GPL’s strategy. Projects include building 215 kilometres of 69 kV transmission lines, 155 kilometres of 230 kV lines, 241 kilometres of new distribution feeders, and nine new substations, along with upgrades to existing facilities. The utility is also installing approximately 200 megawatts of HDD underground transmission cables beneath the Demerara River.
As part of its digital transformation, GPL has launched a pilot project to deploy 20,000 smart metres, a step towards achieving a fully smart grid by 2030.
Nandlall encouraged stakeholders to review GPL’s publicly available five-year Expansion and Development Plan, underscoring the company’s commitment to meeting growing electricity demand and improving service reliability nationwide.
