NEW AMSTERDAM, Berbice — September 8, 2026
The Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) is appealing to customers to conserve electricity as rising demand puts increasing pressure on the national grid.
The head of GPL's management committee said demand reached a peak of 257 megawatts. That is significantly higher than the 221 megawatt peak recorded in 2025.
According to GPL, the highest demand is usually recorded between 7 and 9 pm, when more than 250,000 customers are at home. The company believes the ongoing El Nino conditions are contributing to hotter temperatures, which are driving greater use of air conditioning units, fans and lighting.
GPL says the higher demand is placing considerable strain on the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System, with some feeders and transformers becoming overloaded.
The pressure was highlighted by several power disruptions over the weekend, including a five-hour nationwide blackout. GPL's deputy chief executive officer said two major shutdowns occurred between Saturday night and Monday morning because of what the company describes as system disturbances at the Kingston substation.
He explained that one of the main transformers at the Kingston substation developed an electrical fault on Saturday night, causing a shutdown. A similar incident followed on Monday morning, when GPL detected a significant spike in current on the submarine cable connecting Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston. Two transformers, one at Vreed-en-Hoop and another at Kingston, also tripped during that incident.
GPL says investigations are continuing to determine the root cause of the spike and the recent disturbances. The company says it continues to invest in the national grid, but officials acknowledged that the rapid growth in demand is adding pressure to the system.
GPL is urging customers to use electricity responsibly, particularly during the 7 to 9 pm peak period. The company is also expected to launch a public awareness campaign on electricity conservation, especially during the current El Nino period.
Consumers are being encouraged to reduce unnecessary use during peak hours while GPL works to maintain a stable and reliable power supply.
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By LRTVS NewsWatch · Channel 10. This report first aired on LRTVS NewsWatch.
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