The Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) recently installed a new 13,800 Volts Express Feeder (distribution line) from Vriesland to the Vreed-en-Hoop Power Plant (VEH), West Bank Demerara (WBD). The line, which runs some 16 kilometres, was installed in August at a cost of $80M.
This project, the company said, forms part of its push to ensure sufficient and available capacity to meet demand, while improving the quality of its supply to all customers.
“Electricity remains one of the most powerful forces in our lives and the demand for a reliable supply of electricity continues to grow rapidly, particularly with the development of new housing schemes and the expansion of businesses. In this regard, the power company has since implemented and executed several new initiatives to bolster its services to new and existing customers,” GPL said in a statement.
This project has resulted in thousands of residential and commercial customers on the WBD benefitting from improved service delivery (voltage quality).
Prior to the installation of the feeder, power supply to customers on the WBD was supported with the importation of approximately 3 Megawatts from the Garden-of-Eden (GOE) Power Plant via the Craig to Vriesland submarine cable link. This was inadequate and often resulted in low voltage and power cuts.
This new line will also allow maintenance activities to be carried out with limited interruptions. Subsequently, this project will see the installation of capacitors and voltage regulators on both feeders in the short term and the construction of a new 69 kV substation at Wales with connecting 69 kV lines to VEH and GOE.
These initiatives are expected to bring further benefits to customers on the West Bank, as well as the wider Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS).
