GPL, Giftland Mall in power purchase agreement
─ Banks DIH to come on board soon
DPI, GUYANA, Friday, June 14, 2019
The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has entered into a Power Purchasing Agreement with local business Giftland Mall. This agreement will see Giftland Mall supplying electricity to the grid, essentially bringing relief to citizens affected by the recent power shortage.
Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon, made the announcement today at his post Cabinet press briefing.
The agreement with Giftland Mall for five megawatts of power has already been finalized and is awaiting approval from the GPL Board on Monday, June 17.
In the meantime, discussions have also commenced with Banks DIH. However, excess capacity may not be available at this time from that entity, DG Harmon said.
Asked about regulations to be followed in such agreements, the Director General related that there are.
“As a matter of fact that is why the matter will be dealt with at the Board of Directors of the GPL because they understand what the law is and they understand under what conditions they have to work to be able to facilitate the movement of power from a private entity to GPL,” he noted.
Cabinet was informed of the fault on the LS 6 submarine cable linking the GPL and Kingston substations, resulting in the loss of 14 megawatts of electrical power normally transferred from Vreed-en-Hoop to the Eastern section of the Demerara-Berbice interconnected system.
Moves to bring relief to affected citizens include engaging the cable manufacturers to inspect and or conduct repairs in the shortest time and returning two caterpillar units from Anna Regina to the Demerara-Berbice interconnected system which are operating at the Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice Power Station.
A proposal to purchase two caterpillar generators from Macorp will also be reviewed by the board of GPL. The company is currently transferring approximately six megawatts of power from the Vreed-en-Hoop power plant directly to a feeder at Kingston via a 13.8 kilovolt submarine cable.
According to DG Harmon, the cable was successfully installed across the Demerara river and was tested and energized on Wednesday June 12.
“It is now supplying five megawatts of power from Vreed-en-Hoop to the eastern Demerara Berbice interconnected system.
He said based on the initiatives implemented so far, load shedding has been significantly reduced.