Wallaba poles shortage affecting electricity infrastructure in new housing schemes

Sep 09, 2013 News

– GPL moves to import
 

A shortage of power poles has severely dented Government’s electrification program in new housing schemes across the country, affecting a US$38M project to run transmission lines along the Coastland.
The situation now has the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) defending itself before the regulator, Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
On Friday, the state-owned company, during a mandatory public session at Duke Lodge, to talk about its 2012 and 2013’s first half operational and financial performance, announced that the Housing Ministry has since approved the importation of hundreds of pine poles to facilitate Guyana‘s expanding housing programme.

GPL’s CEO, Bharrat Dindyal

A shortage of piles has also affected GPL’s construction of a 26 megawatts Wartsila power plant at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Demerara, which had to be pushed back by several months.
Under regulations, GPL has to meet certain deadlines and stipulations regarding the provision of services, including new connections and reconnections.
With officials of the PUC present at the public presentation, GPL disclosed it had been unable to meet targets set by the regulator because of, among other things, the shortage of the poles.
GPL and suppliers have been battling over prices with the latter asking for more money as the demand for the wallaba poles rose. Suppliers have been claiming that they have to go further into the forests for the wallaba posts, increasing their costs, as a result.
In recent years, thanks to an aggressive housing program, several new schemes have gone up, hence the need for additional electricity infrastructure.
Wallaba posts, because of its resilience, have been a popular choice for GPL and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Companies over the years.
Chief Executive Officer of the GPL, Bharrat Dindyal, disclosed that 600 pine poles had to be imported from the US to meet the demands of the US$40M transmission lines program that is currently underway.
With the Chinese contractor reaching as far as Mahaica, GPL is more than worried about delays as a result of the shortage. According to the official, the Central Housing and Planning Authority has given its no objections for the importation of another 900 poles to meet urgent infrastructure works in Regions Three, Five and Six.
Immediately, another 1,000 is needed by GPL for critical maintenance.
But Dindyal said GPL is not standing still and is not willing to continue being at the mercy of suppliers. In addition to seriously looking at options of steel poles and other alternatives, the power company is in talks with a number of importers to meet current demands.