The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) says loss reduction, introduction of a pre-paid meter system and countering electricity theft are among its priorities as it seeks to draft a five-year development and expansion plan.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release stakeholders of the company are currently engaging in a series of consultations for the development of the plan which is expected to be presented to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds for approval.

GPL Chief Executive Officer Bharrat Dindyal and other representatives this week met with Hinds, officials from the Guyana Office for Investment and the Public Utilities Commission at Hotel Tower to continue discussions. The meeting highlighted the company’s achievements, challenges, proposed solutions, capital expenditure, financing options and tariffs.

According to Dindyal the new plan will see a significant number of meters being replaced with the introduction of the new pre-paid meter system which is expected to be initiated in a pilot programme. Plans are already progressing with this programme and a public relations campaign on the new technology and its implementation will be revealed. “In this transition period from pre-paid meters, we are proposing not to install any new electro-mechanical meters but (to) try desperately to ensure that by next year all our new meters for domestic customers and small businesses use prepaid meters,” Dindyal said.

Meanwhile, government will soon be signing a policy loan with the Inter-American Development Bank that will focus on reviewing legislation to address increased penalties for electricity theft. The process is expected to greatly support the loss reduction initiative.

Dindyal lauded the completion of Phase one of the unserved areas network expansion programme which allowed 15,000 households to access electricity.