As drought-like conditions are expected to occur soon, the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) is preparing for an increase in electricity demand this year.
This will be due to rising household connections and greater use of air conditioning, according to the Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar.
Speaking on Sunday, Minister Indar said GPL is currently operating with sufficient capacity to meet peak demand.
The minister placed the current peak demand at about 228 megawatts, while available generation stands at approximately 267 megawatts, allowing the power utility company to supply current consumption levels.
“Every time more connections are happening, more demand is on the grid. So we have to cater for that,” Minister Indar said.
He noted that increased temperatures naturally lead to higher electricity usage as households rely more heavily on cooling systems. According to
He said this seasonal and structural increase in demand is being factored into GPL’s planning to ensure continued supply stability.
“When the place is hot, people put on AC all the time… you can’t stop people from that. That is the natural thing, so you’ve got to accommodate that,” the minister explained.
Reiterating that once the gas-to-energy plant comes on stream, consumers will see an increase in power supply and a reduction in the cost of electricity.
The minister noted that “you won’t have these massive amounts of shutdowns, even if somebody hits it as well, because the turbine technology that the gas to energy and now employed with the Siemens turbine, they don’t work with injectors. Injectors, these reciprocating engines that we have now, those are injectors”.
The turbines are expected to be installed to aid in the power generation for the gas-to-energy plant in Wales.
One will come on stream in the latter part of this year, while the others are expected not long after.