GPL’s US$422M grid upgrade gains momentum as substations near 60% completion

Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is advancing a US$422 million investment to strengthen and modernise the country’s electricity infrastructure, with several new substations now 60 per cent complete and a state-of-the-art National Control Centre nearing completion. This was revealed following an inspection by the GPL Board of Directors and media operatives on Friday. The media visited the

Goedverwagting Substation, which will accommodate 230 kilovolt (kV) and 69 kV infrastructure and serve as a key point in the expansion of GPL’s high-voltage transmission network. The facility will support the evacuation of bulk power from the 300 megawatt (MW) natural-gas-fired power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD) and enable transmission across the network. The new 230 kV transmission infrastructure will extend from Goedverwagting to Region Six, significantly increasing network capacity. The media also visited the sites at Enmore, Château Margot, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Columbia, West Berbice substations.

The tour also included sections of the route for the new transmission lines. These works include approximately 155 kilometres (km) of 230 kV double-circuit transmission lines to interconnect the Goedverwagting Substation with a new substation at Williamsburg, Region Six and approximately 167 km of 69 kV double-circuit transmission lines to replace existing infrastructure along the railway embankment. Significant progress has already been achieved along the transmission corridor. Several monopoles have been erected to accommodate the 69 kV transmission line, while construction of the bases for the 230 kV transmission line is ongoing. The media visit provided an opportunity to highlight GPL’s ongoing investments to expand and modernise the electricity network. These investments are intended to increase transmission capacity, accommodate additional generation, advance smart-grid capabilities, strengthen network resilience and improve the reliability of electricity supply across Guyana.