With commercial losses pegged at approximately 12 per cent, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc is relying on the planned upgrades to the national grid to reduce electricity theft across the country. The state-owned power company is currently undertaking a US$4.869 billion Development and Expansion Programme 2026-2030 to transform the electricity sector. This strategic plan seeks to, among other things, expand power generation capacity, modernise and reinforce the transmission and distribution (T&D) system and implement smart grid technologies over the next five years. According to Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips, who has responsibility for the country’s energy sector, the Government will be relying heavily on smart grid technology to curb electricity theft. “PM – It’s not going to happen now – it’s part of the whole strategic outlook for GPL. In improving or modernising the whole transmission and distribution system, they’re going to depend heavily on ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and available technology to make the grid smarter. So, we will achieve a smart grid over the next five to ten years, and we’re going to reach a point, like in many other countries, where they can sit in a control centre and identify who is stealing electricity and just turn them off with the press of a button. It’s going to happen.” PM Phillips stated during a press conference on Friday. This was after Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar reported that GPL currently records a 12 per cent commercial loss.

GPL’s losses are incurred mainly by two major factors: commercial losses including electricity theft and technical losses caused by power traveling over long distances. Indar had previously reported that the company’s total losses are pegged around 24-25 per cent, of which technical losses account for around 13 per cent. Nevertheless, during Friday’s press conference, the Public Utilities Minister noted that GPL has a dedicated Loss Reduction Department tasked with identifying illegal connections and pursuing those who steal power.

“So, whenever they find people [stealing electricity], they go after them. They have procedures for how they do it. They record it, they calculate the usage, and they conduct back-billing. So, that is an ongoing process,” Indar explained.