Engineers working to connect second Power Ship before Christmas -PM Phillips

As the holiday season approaches, Guyana is set to enhance its electricity supply significantly. The arrival of a second power generation vessel promises to add approximately 60 megawatts to the national grid. Prime Minister Mark Phillips announced that engineers are diligently working to integrate this additional power source before Christmas. This initiative aims to alleviate the ongoing electricity challenges faced by the country.

Enhancing Power Capacity

The new power generation vessel is a crucial addition to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) company’s infrastructure. With this new vessel, the total grid capacity will increase by 60 megawatts initially, with the potential to rise to 75 megawatts in the future. During a recent parliamentary sitting, Prime Minister Phillips emphasized the urgency of the project. He stated that the transmission work is about 80% complete. Once the transmission is finalized, the next step will be connecting the power ship to the grid.

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The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the additional power supply would be operational before Christmas Day. He noted that the government is committed to ensuring that citizens have stable electricity during the holiday season. This is particularly important, as many families rely on consistent power for celebrations and gatherings. The rental of this power ship is part of a broader strategy to address the country’s electricity woes, which have persisted for some time.

Short-Term Solutions for Long-Term Goals

The government has opted to rent power ships as a short-term solution while a more permanent gas-to-energy project is being developed. This approach aims to provide immediate relief to the electricity supply issues faced by the nation. Prime Minister Phillips acknowledged that the rental of these power ships comes at a significant cost, running into hundreds of millions of dollars. However, he believes that this investment is necessary to ensure reliable electricity for the population.

The construction of a 3.9 km double circuit 69 kV transmission line is currently underway. This line will connect the power ship, docked at Ruimveldt, to GPL’s New Georgetown Substation. The Prime Minister is optimistic that this construction will be completed within days, allowing for a swift connection to the local grid. He also mentioned that once the connection is established, testing will commence. Residents will be informed of any necessary shutdowns during this testing phase.