Guyana Builds Backup Power Network to Reduce Outages

Guyana is building backup capacity into its electricity network to help keep power flowing when equipment fails or goes offline for maintenance.

Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) Executive Management Committee Team Leader Kesh Nandlall said future infrastructure projects will include additional transmission lines and transformers. These additions will give electricity another route when equipment becomes unavailable.

Under the current system, maintenance on some transformers can cause power interruptions for customers. The upgraded network will provide alternative pathways, helping Guyana reduce outages when a line or transformer goes offline.

Guyana Strengthens Its Power Network

The work forms part of a US$422.2 million programme to strengthen Guyana’s electricity transmission and distribution network. The programme will also prepare the system to receive power from the 300-megawatt Gas-to-Energy project at Wales.

A key part of the upgrade is the Goedverwagting substation. Electricity from Wales will reach the facility at 230 kilovolts before the system reduces the voltage for distribution to homes and businesses across Guyana.

Goedverwagting will also connect with GPL’s existing Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System, including the Sophia substation. Additional capacity at the facility will support future electricity demand.

A new 69kV transmission line will connect Goedverwagting to the Columbia substation, replacing existing infrastructure along the railway embankment. Another 230kV network will extend east to Williamsburg, where a substation will reduce the voltage to 69kV.

New Infrastructure for Guyana

The expanded network will connect with the Onverwagt and Number 53 substations. Electricity will also be able to travel farther east to the Skeldon substation, with the system eventually reaching communities toward Moleson Creek.

Meanwhile, Guyana is nearing commissioning of the 300-megawatt Goedverwagting substation and the US$20 million National Control Centre.

GPL will use the control centre to monitor electricity flows across the national grid in real time. This will help the utility respond to faults and manage demand more effectively throughout Guyana.

New substations at Chateau Margot and Enmore are about 60% complete, while work continues on the Columbia substation.

The wider programme will give Guyana more transmission routes and backup capacity. These improvements are intended to keep electricity flowing when equipment fails or requires maintenance.

The investment also supports the country’s preparations for additional power from the Gas-to-Energy project at Wales.