The government is taking proactive steps to address the rising demand for electricity in Guyana, as peak energy consumption continues to grow. Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips made this announcement on Thursday evening during the Amcham Energy Mixer held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.
Prime Minister Phillips revealed that electricity demand has surged significantly in recent months. “Around three or two months ago, Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) informed us that the peak demand was approximately 188 to 189 megawatts. As of yesterday, the peak is now around 205 megawatts,” he said.
Earlier this year, the government secured an additional 36 megawatts of power from a Turkish power ship to meet the growing demand. However, with electricity needs continuing to rise, more efforts are being made to increase supply. Prime Minister Phillips disclosed that the government is engaging contractors to procure an additional 60 megawatts before the end of the year. “We have to do this in the short term as we await the gas-to-energy project, which will bring us to 300 megawatts and place us in a much better position,” Phillips explained.
He emphasized that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is the only administration to have initiated such a large-scale energy project. “The optimists are in power today. Guyana is fortunate because the gas-to-energy project will be completed by this government,” he stated.
With the first phase of the gas-to-energy project nearing completion, the government is gearing up for the second phase, which aims to bridge the energy gap between the hinterland and the coast. Additionally, the government plans to market gas and energy across the Caribbean.
Reflecting on past initiatives, Prime Minister Phillips noted that had earlier proposals been embraced, Guyana could have benefitted from 165 megawatts of additional electricity since 2017. As the nation experiences increased demand due to new schools, hospitals, hotels, and housing developments, the government continues to implement strategies to ensure a reliable energy supply for the country’s growing needs.
