Almost 1000 persons in unserved communities added to GPL grid in 2024

Almost 1000 new households in 11 previously unserved communities were provided electricity for the first time when they were added to the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) operated by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).
This was among the utility company’s major highlights for 2024. Head of the GPL Executive Management Committee, Kesh Nandalall explained that this was as a result of regularisation activities carried out by the Ministry of Housing in 2024. These additions also do not include the many housing schemes currently being created by the Government.
This was mainly for communities in Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six and included the communities of New Forest in Region Six (East Canje-Berbice), Samville, Kuru Kuru on the Soesdyke Highway and their surrounding communities.
In Region Six areas where residents had never been connected to the grid included the Upper East Canje area, the East Bank of Berbice (EBB), and sections of Crabwood Creek (CWC). This involved some nine9 kilometers of medium and low voltage lines being installed.
Prior to last year the last village in East Canje, which was connected to the national grid was Gangaram. The three populated villages that come after and stretch eight miles from Gangaram to New Forest; Speculation, Zorg, and Good Land, like New Forest had never been connected to the national grid.
It was during the first half of 2024 that residents of New Forest had raised concerns about their lack of accessibility to electricity with President Dr Irfaan Ali during one of his visits to the community.
The President promised immediate action, and within weeks GPL began work in the area. By December 2024 works on the infrastructure were completed and residents were able to receive their electricity. The access to electricity has significantly improved the comfort of residents within their homes and enhanced security within the village.
The expansion was part of the Government’s approach to expanding energy infrastructure across the country, especially in those remote areas.
In Samville, approximately 500 residents benefitted from the expansion of electricity supply in that area. That initiative also represented a fulfillment of a promise by the President to alleviate concerns raised by residents in those communities. The community was without electricity given that it was first developed as a squatter settlement.
However, the Housing Ministry worked along with the residents to have the area regularised