The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has issued a Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) seeking qualified companies capable of upgrading and expanding the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS).
This move aims to pre-qualify firms capable of delivering on significant infrastructural projects, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of Guyana’s power supply.
The primary objective of this REOI is to identify and shortlist potential providers for Capital Financing and Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC)+Financing (F) services. These providers will be essential in executing the planned infrastructure developments, which are pivotal to enhancing the DBIS. The current EOI is not a direct invitation to tender; instead, it is a preliminary step to gauge interest and capability. Successful bidders from this round will be invited to participate in the subsequent Request for Bid (RFB) phase.
GPL’s infrastructure upgrade projects are extensive and multifaceted. One of the major tasks includes the construction of 69 kV lines spanning a total of 10.45 kilometers across the Demerara and Berbice Rivers. Additionally, the extension of 13.8 kV feeders will cover 193 kilometers and involve the provision of distribution reinforcement equipment to strengthen the existing grid.
Further enhancements involve supplying two 35 MVA, 69/13.8 kV mobile substations. To improve maintenance efficiency, specialized hotline maintenance tools along with requisite training and certification are required. The construction of new infrastructure is also planned, including 42 kilometers of 69 kV lines, four 69/13.8 kV substations, and 17 feeders, each stretching six kilometers.
The project also emphasizes modernizing the grid with advanced technologies. This includes the supply and installation of 30 MW/15 MWh battery energy storage systems to enhance grid stability and efficiency. Another significant upgrade is the implementation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) with 20,000 meters and associated training to ensure accurate and efficient energy usage monitoring. Lastly, the upgrade and expansion of two existing 69/13.8 kV substations are essential to meet growing demand and ensure reliable service delivery.
The government has allocated a substantial $95.7 billion to the energy sector in the current fiscal year, aiming to modernize the GPL grid. Despite significant investments directed towards the transformative Wales gas-to-energy project, the existing infrastructure remains a focal point of improvement.
This was noted last month by Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, as he emphasized the necessity of upgrading the current system. “The budget has provisions to change out hundreds of transformers. We will stabilize the power between now and then, and we are making sure that we deal with the grid as well,” Indar stated during a post-budget panel discussion with a local media house.
The DBIS is crucial as it supplies the majority of Guyana’s energy needs. However, the aging and often faulty transmission system requires frequent repairs, leading to persistent power outages that frustrate consumers. With the country’s growing energy demands—spurred by new residential, commercial, and industrial developments—the need for a reliable and robust power grid is more pressing than ever.
The government has also been proactive in expanding capacity, with new generators added recently, bringing GPL’s generating capacity to approximately 180 megawatts. The upgrades and enhancements through this EOI are part of a broader strategy to ensure that the power infrastructure can support future growth.
