-amid continuing power outages

The Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) has again met contractors working on major electricity projects and stressed the need for them to meet agreed deadlines, against the backdrop of repeated outages and growing public dissatisfaction.

In a statement yesterday, GPL said the meeting was led by Kesh Nandlall, team leader of its Executive Management Committee. Deputy Chief Executive Officer Bharat Harjohn, director Ryan Ross and other GPL representatives attended, along with representatives of InterEnergy, PowerChina, China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CMC) and Kalpataru Projects International Limited (KPIL).

The utility said it reviewed progress against project schedules and raised matters requiring attention. Contractors provided updates on work underway, implementation timelines and upcoming milestones. GPL did not identify those milestones, disclose completion dates or say whether any of the projects were behind schedule.

The meeting follows major blackouts across the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System this month. Kiskadee Watch reported widespread interruptions on September 6 and another major outage on September 12, when customers in several communities experienced hours without electricity. GPL described the incidents as network or system disturbances. 

GPL has attributed pressure on the system partly to rising demand and an ageing distribution network. Nandlall said earlier this month that peak demand had risen from about 125 megawatts in 2020 to about 255 megawatts, while the number of customers had grown from approximately 201,000 to 250,000. The increased load has strained parts of the network and overloaded transformers, he said. GPL expects its grid upgrades to substantially ease outages by around June 2027. 

PowerChina and KPIL are carrying out transmission works intended to expand the network and help move electricity from the planned 300-megawatt gas-to-energy plant at Wales. According to the Department of Public Information, PowerChina’s assigned works include approximately 37 kilometres of 230-kilovolt lines from Goedverwagting to the eastern bank of the Mahaica River. KPIL is responsible for approximately 89.7 kilometres of 230-kilovolt lines extending towards the Berbice River. InterEnergy is providing project management and engineering oversight for parts of the programme. 

Stabroek News had reported that GPL signed further contracts in November 2025: US$199 million with KPIL for substations and transmission and distribution works, and US$35.93 million with CMC for more than 193 kilometres of distribution feeders and smart equipment. 

The pace of the work has also drawn political scrutiny. Kiskadee Watch reported this month that Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed said five substations under a US$422 million transmission and substation programme were far behind schedule. Separately, DPI reported on September 14 that work on the Chateau Margot and Enmore substations and the Columbia substation expansion was 60% complete.