The Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) expects to have an adequate power supply for Christmas but as a result of several problems which are being addressed at power stations, sections of the country may experience brief outages.
According to a release from the power company, its generation supply has been boosted by the completion of the new Kingston Power plant and the 20.7 MW of power provided by this plant in addition to the already installed 44 MW Wartsila power unit brings the total power generated in Demerara to 64.7 MW. All of the engines are in working order and supplying power into the electricity grid at the moment, the company stated.
The power company stated that there are several issues being addressed at power stations across the country which may have an effect on power supply during the season.
The company stated that due to limitations and the age of portions of its transmission network and frequency converters at the Sophia power station, there is the risk that brief power outages could occur.
According to the release, with the demand growth in power in West Demerara, transmission lines are insufficient to fully meet peak demand; this problem the release stated, is being addressed by the movement of two Caterpillar sets to the Leonora sub-station, and these are expected to be operational early next week.
While power generation in Berbice is adequate with supplies from sub stations at Skeldon, Canefield and Onverwagt, there is a tight margin at peak .The Power Company stated that it is currently relocating 2 Caterpillar sets from Georgetown to Berbice to provide an adequate reserve margin.
GPL said that its is currently refurbishing the Canefield power station in order to have two refurbished Mirrlees 5MW generator sets converted to heavy fuel oil. Components for the engines were brought from Suriname, the release stated.
According to the power company, in the New Year, it intends to commence work on a US$38M transmission project which is expected to be completed over a 30 month period, with funding by the Government of Guyana via a loan from the Chinese EXIM Bank. This project, the company stated, would improve the quality of electricity supplied and it will also allow GPL to utilize reserve generation from any of its generation locations in Demerara and Berbice.
