GPL’s sister company sets its eyes on being an independent producer
─plans are in pipeline to operate and maintain other GPL facilities
─defective generator to be fully operational by July
DPI, Guyana, Friday, June 14, 2019
Power Producers and Distributors Inc. (PPDI), the sister-company to GPL, is actively working towards obtaining its license to independently produce and distribute electricity. This was announced at a press briefing held on Friday by Chief Executive Officer of PPDI, Dr. Aaron Fraser.
“We are in the process of acquiring license to become an independent power producer”, CEO Fraser said. The head of PPDI also noted that this step is an essential prerequisite to PPDI building and operating its own power plant.
As it stands, PPDI functions in the capacities to both operate and maintain four of GPL’s power plants. The sites of these plants are Garden of Eden, Number 1 and Number 2 power plants in Kingston, and the Vreed-en-Hoop power plant. PPDI has the responsibility of producing approximately 106megawatts of electricity to supply GPL’s grid through these power plants.
The company plans to operate more of GPL’s facilities. CEO Fraser mentioned, “plans are in train for us to undertake the operations and maintenance of the other GPL facilities in the country.”
Meanwhile, Director of Operations and Maintenance Brian Goodridge provided an update on one of the generators that had become defective during the month of May. The generator is expected to be back in the operation chain within the coming month. Goodridge explained, “the rotor for it [the generator] is out for repairs in Miami. So, we are waiting for that to come back”.
In December 2016, PPDI was established to operate and maintain power plants that were previously under the control of Wartsila Operations Guyana Inc. (WOGI). In January of 2019, the PPDI secured International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 9001 certification. According to the ISO, the certificate is as a result of the PDDI’s “strong customer focus, the motivation of top management, the process approach and continual improvement of the company.”
Images: Marceano Narine