Guyana seeks baseload power to cover growing demand

Guyana Power & Light (GPL) has issued a request for proposals to supply 50MW of baseload generation via a five to 10-year power purchase agreement.

The capacity is needed “due to the state of current generating facilities and expected growth in demand, driven by the economic activities resulting from oil and gas sector and the other significant economic sectors,” according to GPL.

The call is divided into two 25MW lots fired by heavy fuel oil (HFO), one of which will connect to the New Sophia or Columbia substation, and the other to the Canefield substation.

Commissioning must begin nine months from the date of notice to proceed.

The bidding deadline is November 11, according to procurement information.

The utility said it currently has a contract with independent power producer Skeldon Energy for 10MW and that there are several self-producers in the country with total installed capacity in excess of 70MW.

GPL highlighted that its overall additional baseload generating capacity requirement within the next five to 10 years tops 400MW.

A 46.5MW HFO plant was recently put into service at Garden of Eden, while projects in development include a 300MW gas-fired plant and the 165MW Amaila Falls hydro.

GPL raised its 2023-30 demand guidance after a “significant scale up of oil projections than what was previously expected.”

Source: GPL

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