The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Company will soon benefit from $1.6B to improve it’s loss reduction programme and management capacity.
The contract was awarded to Manitoba Hydro International Limited.
During a post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, at the Ministry of the Presidency, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon explained that the project is part of the European Union (EU) and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP) which will be rolled out in phases.
According to Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, the first component of the project involves the improvement of capacity building for the executive management of the power company, while a second element will focus on the improvement of the company’s loss reduction programme.
“Currently the loss reduction percentage is roughly 29.3%,” she said. According to previous reports, the company is aiming to achieve a 5.5% loss reduction by 2020.
Asked to further explain the logistics of the loss reduction programme or say what exactly is being done to address loss reduction, Ferguson said the government is awaiting an audit of the unit which is underway. She said the recommendations of the audit will be implemented.
Recently, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson said the EU-IDB funded project will also cater for capital works, which include acquiring prepaid smart meters and upgrading the distribution systems and other facilities to improve electricity distribution.
Responding to questions on Thursday in relation to whether there will be an increase in electricity tariffs, the Minister said that the power company does not foresee any increase in tariffs.
PUUP was approved in 2014 and is designed to support GPL in executing fundamental infrastructure investments and in improving the organisation’s performance with the implementation of a Corporate Development Programme (CDP). This will allow for a culture change towards an organisation able to supply energy within minimum international standards.
