By Samuel Sukhnandan | November 8, 2024
In a move to boost the country’s power supply in time for the holiday season, the Government of Guyana is set to add a second power ship to the national grid.
This addition is expected to increase electricity access for Guyanese, especially during the Christmas period.
Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), announced the development during a press conference on Thursday.
The new power ship, which is expected to provide an additional 60 megawatts of electricity, will help meet growing energy demands across the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System.
The Turkish company that provided the existing power ship has submitted a bid for the second vessel, which will enhance the overall capacity of the national grid.
Along with the power ship, Dr. Jagdeo noted that five kilometers of transmission mains are under construction, and this project is expected to be completed in six weeks.
The expansion will add another 75 megawatts, further alleviating power shortages.
With these upgrades, the government is making significant strides toward addressing the country’s energy needs.
Additionally, Dr. Jagdeo shared that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) company is already planning for anticipated electricity demand increases for 2025, in anticipation of the 300-megawatt gas-to-energy project set for completion.
The expected peak demand for electricity in 2025 is projected at 236 megawatts.
Currently, the country has 203.5 megawatts of reliable generating capacity, a significant increase from 2020 levels, when capacity fluctuated between 96 and 117 megawatts.
These improvements are part of a broader effort to ensure that Guyana meets the energy demands of its growing population and economy.