The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) company and the Ministry of Public Utilities are currently examining additional sources of electricity amid a rapid increase in the demand for power, according to President Irfaan Ali.

The Government may now be closely looking at the possibility of renting a third power ship.

“I know right now the Guyana Power and Light [and] the Ministry of Public Utilities, they are looking at various options. I cannot say they have concluded on any option but yes, we are looking at options right now to look for additional power because we just need it. It is critically needed in the country,” President Ali said.

The President said he was certain that the power company and the Public Utilities Ministry were examining proposals from power ship company.

Justifying the move to source additional power, the President said at present, the national grid cannot respond to the demand.

“The demand is soaring pass our ability to even supply now. For a matter of fact, I think last night, the demand was in excess of what the system could have produced. So, they are looking at different possibilities in terms of how we meet that demand in the short term. It is difficult because whatever we do cannot be a long-term arrangement, it has to be a very short time frame,” the President told reporters.

In September, President Irfaan Ali admitted that electricity generation and distribution in the country remain a major challenge, adding that the situation requires massive investment to ensure that Guyanese benefit from a reliable supply of electricity in the long term.

He had explained that the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) was under pressure, as demand for electricity climbs at a time when there is no “spinning reserve” or excess power.

The DBIS serves approximately 230,000 customers with the peak demand for electricity increasing from 205 megawatts in 2024 to 242.6 megawatts in August 2026, which represents an 18% growth rate.

More than two years ago, the Government rented two power ships from Karpowership – a 36-megawatts (MW) facility docked in the Berbice River, and a 60MW craft stationed in the Demerara River.

However, despite the presence of those power ships here, the country continues to face frequent power outages.

 The Government has since called on citizens to conserve on their use of electricity.

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