– alongside efforts to build capacity to meet local demand, says Jagdeo

– highlights that temporary disruptions are also part of broader infrastructural progress

THE Government of Guyana is actively working to improve electricity supply across the country in the run-up to the Christmas period, with several major infrastructural developments already underway to address citizens’ concerns over electricity reliability.

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo, during his weekly press conference at Freedom House last Thursday, took stock of the administration’s ongoing efforts to improve production and distribution of electricity on a national scale.

He assured citizens that the government had heard their concerns and was implementing immediate and long-term solutions.
Addressing efforts to acquire more power, Jagdeo said: “I think the offers have been evaluated and they are waiting to start the discussion. »

The administration’s commitment to solving electricity supply problems is demonstrated by recent substantial investments, including more than $160 million allocated for new substations and approximately $200 million dedicated to system upgrades transport and distribution.

These investments complement the recently commissioned electric vessel which adds 36 megawatts (MW) to the national grid.
Dr Jagdeo said the current situation requires a multifaceted approach due to the many technical complexities involved.

Dr Jagdeo said: “But it’s not just about the additional generation: many transmission networks are currently down… the transformers. When you put more power into the system with the old lines, remember that little has been done to most of the lines, so many of these lines fail.

The government’s comprehensive power sector improvement plans include strengthening infrastructure ahead of the landmark gas-to-power project planned for next year.
This transformative project is expected to add 300 MW to the system and significantly reduce electricity costs by 50 percent.

Dr Jagdeo also spoke about the temporary disruptions caused by ongoing development works across the country.
“When they receive a load or they disappear, sometimes they have to cut off the power supply to remove their boats from passage,” he said, emphasizing that these necessary interruptions are part of the broader process of improvement infrastructure.

Acknowledging the common impact of the current challenges, Dr. Jagdeo noted, “Even I have a power outage at home. The same blackout you are receiving, I am receiving it too,” he said, stressing that GPL will continue to be held accountable as the government makes the necessary investments.