Electricity demand has surged to a record 242.64 megawatts, as El Niño-related high temperatures, rapid economic expansion and a growing customer base push the national grid to its limits.
Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar said the figure, recorded this week, surpasses the previous peak of 221 megawatts, marking a rise of 21.6 megawatts within a year.
Indar said the trend is expected to continue through the hottest months, with demand projected to reach around 266 megawatts between August and October.
While El Niño conditions have intensified the strain, Indar said they are not the sole cause, pointing to rapid economic growth as a major driver. He cited continued infrastructural development, including new roads, wharves, schools and hospitals, along with expansion in the hospitality sector, as factors pushing up energy demand.
Guyana Power and Light (GPL) said the increase in consumption also reflects higher housing activity and growth in commercial and industrial customers. The utility’s customer base has expanded from about 204,000 in 2020 to roughly 250,000 currently, an increase of approximately 45,000 connections.
GPL said the combination of a larger customer base, economic activity and high temperatures is placing additional strain on the system, as more consumers rely on cooling appliances.
To address the rising demand, the Government and GPL are exploring measures to manage consumption while expanding generation capacity, which is expected to reach approximately 280.5 megawatts by the end of August, providing additional reserve capacity.
Minister Indar said the Government is also considering asking large customers with their own generation capacity to temporarily disconnect from the national grid during peak periods, where necessary.
GPL said this measure would be applied based on demand in specific areas, with the system being monitored before further interventions are considered.
Consumers are being urged to conserve electricity, particularly during peak hours, as the country moves through the hotter months.
The Government and GPL said the electricity system will remain under close observation, with further measures to be implemented if required to maintain a reliable supply.
