Upgraded GPL Power station commissioned in Canje, Berbice

Prime Minister Mark Phillips said the upgrade will improve the reliability, stability, and efficiency of GPL’s power system and is one of many steps towards the overall advancement of the country's power supply.

Upgraded GPL Power station commissioned in Canje, Berbice

The upgraded GPL power station in Canje Berbice has been commissioned and will now be producing reactive power.

The project was realised through a $1.4 Billion grant from the Japanese government. GPL spent additional sums to fully automate the substation.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips said the upgrade will improve the reliability, stability, and efficiency of GPL’s power system and is one of many steps towards the overall advancement of the country’s power supply. 

“Our aim is to provide an additional 400 megawatts of newly installed capacity for residential and commercial – industrial users. Among the transformative infrastructural works in the pipeline include the completion of the Amelia Falls Hydro project, moving towards clean, reliable, affordable power supply; investments in solar and wind systems for off-grid areas and developing microgrids for large hinterland villages; the expansion of the Hinterland Electrification Programme and urgent action to improve the national grid with regard to both transmission and distribution”.

The Non-Resident Ambassador of Japan to Guyana, Tatsuo Hirayama, said that his country has developed a high level of energy efficiency and renewable energy technology and is willing to continue to share its expertise with Guyana.

“As a development partner to Guyana, our government is immensely pleased about the cooperation with Guyana in its energy building efforts. I would like to emphasise that this completed project is a symbol of our cooperation and friendship… our choice of investment in this project was the right one, and is of great value to both our countries”. 

GPL’s Divisional Director of Projects, Ryan Ross, said that the upgrades to the Canefield facility are the first major development the substation has undergone since its establishment in the mid-1970s.

He said too, that it is the first time that GPL has installed reactive power compensators in its transmission network. 

Reactive power compensation is a load and voltage support mechanism that contributes to energy conservation.

The upgrades also include a new master control building, installation of modern equipment, the extension of the facility, and distribution upgrades within the interconnected system.  

Work on the project began in early 2019.

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