‘I will read the riot act’ – President says GPL management must be more responsive

President Dr. Irfaan Ali will this morning read the proverbial ‘riot act’ to the management of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) as part of efforts to eliminate frequent power outages and guarantee that the company works towards a much-needed solution for consumers.

Dr. Ali, in an invited comment, said the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is not hiding from the challenges that have long plagued the power company.

He said the company, and the main power grid it runs (the Demerara- Berbice Interconnected System), did not have enough investments from 2015 to 2020 while the former APNU+AFC government was in office. So, with demand outstripping supply, Dr. Ali said his government has the herculean task of rapidly investing in GPL’s expansion.

“We inherited a system that was in total collapse. We are rebuilding that system,” the President said.

Even so, the Guyanese Head of State believes the current management of the power company can be more proactive- particularly in response to the spate of recent power outages.

That’s why he intends to have a frank meeting with senior management on Tuesday.

“Tomorrow morning at 6AM, I have a meeting with senior management and the Board of Directors. I will be reading the riot act to them and making it very clear that we are making the investments and we have to get the type of results, we must get the type of results,” President Ali said when engaged by the News Room on Monday.

He added, “While this investment is necessary and we have to make it… management also has to be more dynamic, more proactive (and) more integrated with what is happening.”

There has been a need to invest in new generators locally as the power demand grows.

At the end of 2023, GPL acquired additional generating sets to guarantee that there would be enough power supply locally. Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar, in December, said the company is now capable of meeting the country’s energy demands.

The situation remained volatile, however. There were numerous power outages throughout March, prompting much public outrage. Last week, system failures at Kingston, Georgetown and Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, locations last week caused countrywide power outages.

President Ali also noted that widespread construction and the ongoing hot conditions have driven up power demand and GPL was forced to supply additional power. So he reasoned that there must be increased spending on additional generating capacity.

The government also hopes to greenlight a mega hydropower project once again as it invests in the development of the natural gas to energy power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara.