President Dr. Irfaan Ali says electricity demand is outpacing the system’s ability to supply it, prompting the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation to examine short-term options for additional power ahead of Christmas.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a shipping conference in Georgetown on Monday, Ali said the need for more electricity was urgent, but no supply option had been finalised.
“The demand is soaring past our ability to even supply now. As a matter of fact, I think last night the demand was in excess of what the system could have produced,” the President said.
With demand expected to rise during the Christmas season, Ali said officials were considering how to bridge the immediate supply gap.
However, he explained that any arrangement would need to cover only a short period, making the search for a suitable solution more difficult.
“It’s difficult because whatever we do cannot be a long-term arrangement. It has to be a very short time frame,” he said.
Ali identified GPL and the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation as the agencies assessing the available options.
“I cannot say they’ve concluded on any option. But yes, we are looking at options right now to look for additional power because we just need it. It’s just critically needed in the system,” he said.
Asked about the possibilities under consideration, the President indicated that power-ship proposals could be among them.
“What they’re examining is various options. I’m sure they’re examining proposals from powerships and so on,” he said.
