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Power China, Kalpataru sign US$422M contracts for extension of transmission lines for GPL
Kaieteur News- Power China and Indian firm Kalpataru signed contracts on Friday worth some US $422 million (GUY $90 billion) for the extension of transmission lines for Guyana Power and Light (GPL Inc).
During a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister’s boardroom, the head of GPL’s executive management committee, Kesh Nandlall, said it is no secret that Guyana has the fastest-growing economy in the world. He said GPL’s role is of paramount importance in supporting the energy needs of the country.
Kesh Nandlall, Head of the Executive Management Committee of the Guyana Power & Light (GPL), Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Deodat Indar and Prime Minister Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips during the contract signing at the Officer of the Prime Minister.
“The Government of Ireland has invested in the gas-to-energy project, which aims to deliver an additional 300 megawatts to the national grid in the first phase, followed by another 300 megawatts second phase. The primary challenge for GPL will be to ensure that the delivery of the power is delivered to the various regions across the country. Addressing this challenge necessitates the construction of infrastructure for the transmission and distribution. We are here because we have started that process, and I would like to let you know that this project that we are going to sign today is the largest ever investment for GPL in infrastructure development in a one-time investment,” Nandlall said.
He disclosed that there are three lots for the projects in the eastern corridor of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS). Lot One was awarded to Power China in the sum of USD $256.7 million, while contracts for the other two lots were won by Kalpataru for USD $156.5 million.
Nandlall explained, “These lots include 155 kilometers of 230 double circuit transmission line, 167 kilometers of 69 kV double circuit transmission line, the construction of five new substations and the upgrade of one substation at Kingston. The 230 kV transmission line will interconnect with the Goedverwagting substation that is now being constructed under the GTE project, to a new substation to be constructed in Williamsburg, East Berbice.”
The 69 kV line will include replacing the current lines of the same nature on the railway embankment and will interconnect with the new substation in East Berbice. The other new substations will be located in LBI, Enmore, Trafalgar, and Williamsburg.
These new additions will allow GPL to reliably transmit power towards the eastern corridor to accommodate growth in the future. The projects are expected to be completed within a year after the agreement is signed. Nandlall urged the contractors to work along with the GPL and respect the timeline, and put in all efforts to ensure that expectations are met and quality is maintained.
“Kalpataru has been working on the gas-to-energy project, and many Guyanese will have seen the quality of work and the quality of infrastructure that is now being constructed in Guyana, and that is the same quality that we will have of international standards,” he stressed.
He also acknowledged his team and their efforts, praising the fact that they have been working around the clock to arrive at this juncture.
(Power China, Kalpataru sign US$422M contracts for extension of transmission lines for GPL)
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