GPL rolls out measures to improve performance

─losses on the decrease

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, June 20, 2019

During its presentation before the Public Utilities Communion on Thursday at Duke Lodge, the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) rolled out its plans that are directed at the improved performance of the state-owned company. This came after the utility company produced data that showed a reduction in losses over the 2018 period as compared to 2017.

For 2018, there was a 1.86 percent reduction in losses in comparison to 2017. This translated to an overall 27.74 percent reduction, while 2017 had a record of 29.6 percent. According to GPL’s presentation, the reduced losses were attributed to the replacement of 30,00 smart meters, detection and energy recovery from electricity diversion, installation of a more secure network to safeguard against electricity diversion, load balancing on low voltage and primary network, and the upgrade of approximately 300km of low voltage and primary network.

With this in mind, the power company rolled out measures that have taken effect as of this year to improve its performance. These include the upgrade of additional low voltage and primary network under GPL’s Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP). Moreover, GPL continues to work towards the upgrade of its network to aid in the reduction of electricity diversion.

In relation to the measures implemented to improve performance for its large customers, GPL in presentation outlined plans to complete a Field Audit of all maximum demand and small business installation. With respect to meter reading, plans are afoot to complete the Field Audit of all meter reading routes. This will be done to improve customer account records and brig estimated billing to an all-time low.

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is a constitutional body with regulatory, investigatory and enforcement responsibilities over the utility sector. GPL’s executive managerial team made presentations before the PUC on Thursday.

Images: Giovanni Gajie