Guyana has recorded its highest-ever electricity demand this year, with peak consumption reaching 221.3 megawatts (MW) in September. The disclosure was made by Kesh Nandlall, Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), during a visit to the Gas-to-Energy project site at Wales on September 15.
Nandlall explained that the sharp increase in demand stems from the country’s rapid expansion.
“It is the highest peak so far for this year, 221.3 MW, and perhaps it is expected to get higher. We expect a lot of hotels…so we are planning,” he said.
This new figure surpasses the 182 MW peak recorded just one year earlier, a reflection of the pace at which Guyana’s housing, commercial, and industrial sectors are growing alongside its booming economy.
It should be noted that Guyana is currently supplying an additional 96 MW of power to the national grid from two Karadeniz ships delivered by UCC Holdings.
The spike in demand underscores the urgency of the Gas-to-Energy project, which is expected to transform the nation’s electricity supply. Scheduled to be operational by 2026, the project will transport natural gas from ExxonMobil’s Liza field in the Stabroek Block to the integrated processing facility at Wales.
The initiative is projected to halve electricity costs by replacing imported heavy fuel oil with natural gas, while also reducing emissions. It will further provide cheaper cooking gas, fertiliser, and opportunities to commercialise natural gas liquids.
Guyana’s government sees the project as a cornerstone of its energy future, ensuring reliable and affordable power while also complementing investments in renewable energy, particularly solar.
