Guyana Power and Light (GPL) expects the frequency and extent of power outages to be significantly reduced by around June 2027 as it advances an approximately US$800 million programme to modernise the national electricity grid.

GPL Chief Executive Officer Keshe Nandlall said the utility is upgrading substations, installing more than 200 kilometres of distribution feeders and expanding transmission capacity to keep pace with rapidly rising electricity demand.

“It's should be significantly alleviated,” Nandlall said during an interview on Starting Point, while noting that some interruptions would continue for maintenance and emergency works until a fully redundant, smart grid is established.

Peak electricity demand has more than doubled from 125 megawatts in 2020 to about 255 megawatts currently, while GPL's customer base has grown from approximately 201,000 to 250,000 over the same period.

Nandlall said the rapid expansion in housing, manufacturing, hospitality and other sectors has placed increasing pressure on the ageing distribution network, resulting in overloaded transformers and other infrastructure.

The capital programme includes new and upgraded substations, more than 200 kilometres of distribution feeders, double-circuit transmission lines and other investments aimed at increasing capacity and redundancy.

GPL is also constructing a double-circuit underground cable beneath the Demerara River to provide an additional connection between the Kingston and Read and Hoop substations. Drilling has already begun.

Nandlall said contracts for the works have been signed, with some more than 60 per cent complete, while engineering and procurement have been completed and materials shipped.

He said the Gas-to-Energy project, which is expected to provide up to 300 megawatts in its first phase, will form a major part of the country’s future energy security, with GPL coordinating its grid upgrades with the phased delivery of the additional generation.

In the longer term, GPL aims to establish a modern, self-healing grid by 2030, supported by a national control centre and smart equipment capable of monitoring electricity flows, identifying faults and rerouting power where redundancy is available.

The utility is also seeking additional short-term generation capacity to help meet demand before Gas-to-Energy becomes fully operational and is adjusting feeder loads ahead of the Christmas period.I also corrected the apparent typo “Nandalal” to “Nandlall” and tightened several repetitions while retaining the key figures and statements. (Reworked from DPI)