As Guyana eagerly anticipates the integration of the recently purchased power barge into its energy grid, Vice President, Dr. Bharat Jagdeo has announced that the grid will be fully set up this evening,ultimately ending frequent blackouts.
Recently the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc,
through a partnership with Urbacon Concessions Investments, W.L.L (UCI), saw the deployment of a robust power ship, boasting a capacity of 36 megawatts (MWs) setting dock in Guyana at Everton, Berbice and promising enhanced power distribution efficiency.
This was following the signing of a two-year contract, between the two considered to be a crucial step towards addressing the nation’s energy challenges.
Earlier today GPL announced that it was testing engines, transformers, and communication systems and underscored the commitment to operational excellence, ensuring seamless integration with GPL’s grid infrastructure.
Commenting on this Jagdeo said, “ Hopefully that barge will start working supplying power from this afternoon. We’re hoping that with the 36 megawatts now added to the system that we’d have enough power in the system to end the current spate of blackouts which come from unavailability of power.”
He highlighted the challenges faced by GPL due to poor transmission and distribution systems, leading to deliberate load shedding in recent months.
Jagdeo further explained, “The 36 megawatts would allow us to meet peak demand, and even allow us to go into maintenance of some of the additional units that had their maintenance deferred simply because they had no other capacity.” The potential integration of an additional 30 megawatts into the system, similar to the arrangement with Karpowership, is also being explored.
This initiative is set to bridge the gap until the gas to energy project comes online, injecting a massive 300 megawatts of new power into the grid. With the current peak demand at about 180 megawatts, this injection of new power from a new power plant signifies a significant milestone in Guyana’s energy landscape.
“This will definitively solve the power situation and, of course, provide cheaper power to our people,” Jagdeo affirmed, expressing his satisfaction with GPL’s press release. He expressed optimism about the prospect of Guyanese citizens receiving power from the power barge by this evening.
According to Vice President Jagdeo, the imminent connection of the power barge, coupled with ongoing initiatives, offers hope for an end to blackouts and a more resilient energy infrastructure.
