Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has called for stronger regional collaboration and strategic procurement as Guyana moves to modernise and diversify its electricity sector, saying decisions made today will shape the country’s energy future for decades. Delivering the feature address at the opening of the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) Engineering and Procurement Conference and Exhibition 2026, the PM said reliable and affordable electricity is essential for economic growth, improved public services and regional development. The conference is being held under the theme, “Grid Modernisation and Resilience – Strategic Procurement in Focus.”

“The decisions we make today will determine the country and region we become over the next 25 years,” Phillips told participants. He outlined the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) Development and Expansion Programme, which includes investments in electricity generation, transmission, distribution, grid digitisation, renewable energy and institutional strengthening. According to the PM, the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project is expected to add about 300 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity while lowering electricity costs, improving reliability and supporting industrial development. He said natural gas will serve as a transitional fuel as Guyana expands its use of hydropower, utility-scale solar, battery storage, distributed renewable energy and other emerging clean technologies. Looking ahead, Phillips projected that by 2030 Guyana’s electricity system will be “fundamentally different, more diversified, more digital, and more capable of integrating renewable energy at scale.” He said the transition will be supported by the Guyana National Control Centre (GNCC), advanced Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, automation and real-time monitoring to create a smarter electricity grid. The PM also stressed that procurement decisions should extend beyond securing the lowest price and instead prioritise quality, resilience, cybersecurity, efficiency and long-term value. “Strategic procurement is therefore central to modernisation. The lowest evaluated cost must also reflect quality, reliability, resilience, operating efficiency and long-term value,” he said. Phillips further underscored the importance of regional cooperation as Caribbean countries continue to face common challenges, including climate vulnerability, volatile fuel prices, extreme weather, increasing electricity demand, limited economies of scale and financing constraints. He said CARILEC plays an important role in bringing together utilities, regulators, Governments and industry partners to strengthen capacity, improve procurement practices, encourage technology transfer and build partnerships across the region. The PM also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to expanding modern and reliable electricity services to communities across Guyana, including urban centres, rural villages, riverain areas and hinterland regions. Following the opening ceremony, Phillips met with stakeholders and toured the exhibition, which features energy technologies and solutions designed for Caribbean utilities. CARILEC, an association representing more than 100 energy solution providers and stakeholders in the regional electricity industry, is hosting the conference and exhibition at the Guyana Marriott Hotel from July 26 to 30. Approximately 150 exhibitors are participating in this year’s event.