GPL closer to improving power supply
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, June 27, 2018
The Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL Inc.) is one of the beneficiaries of a US$16.5Million grant signed today between the Governments of Guyana and Japan.
The grant will cater for the introduction of renewable energy and the improvement of the local power system. This project will be executed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
JICA’s Chief Representative, Tetsuhiro Ike said by 2023 transmission loss will reduce to about 1.6 million KW/h per annually through the provision of substation equipment and distribution lines.
Chief Executive Officer, GPL, Albert Gordon said that funding from this grant will see an upgrade of the utility company’s distribution line feeders and transformers.
“This particular project will help both in improving reliability and reducing losses, also improving voltage levels. So, it is part of a larger set of projects we’re implementing to improve distribution. We have a complete set of projects that will transform us into a more reliable and efficient utility company,” Gordon explained.
The CEO said there are also extensive upgrades planned for the grid. This aspect of the project is catered for in the power company’s Power Upgrade Utility Programme (PUUP). However, additional funding of US$110Million for this project is being sought from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and other sources.
“Even as we are executing, we are in discussion with IDB and entities to continue that work and to reconfigure and improve the network. We are working assiduously to improve its electricity distribution and upgrade into a smart utility, Gordon said.”
The grants were signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Guyana, His Excellency Mitsuhiko Okada, signed on behalf of their respective governments.
By: Ranetta La Fleur.