Extensive upgrades, expansions to be done to substations, transmission lines as part of GtE project

– relocation of some structures may be required

Several upgrades and expansions are planned for various transmission lines and substations in Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) and Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), as part of the US$159 million Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) contract signed with Kalpataru Projects International Limited (KPIL).
While power outages have been a source of concern for citizens, one of the major factors behind it is the aging infrastructure. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has complained that when it returned to office in 2020, it was to find that very little had been done by the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) government to upgrade the aging infrastructures.

According to the project summary prepared by the project leader who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Kesh Nandlall upgrades will be done to existing lines such as the 69kV transmission lines from the Golden Grove substation to connect with the new Goedverwagting substation on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).
Additionally, the existing 69kV lines from the new Goedverwagting substation to the old Sophia substation will also be upgraded. A 69kV bay expansion will also be done at the Region Three, Vreed-en-Hoop substation, which will allow for the 300-megaWatt power plant to be connected to the national grid.
The project document states the transmission lines for the Integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) Plant and the Power Plant components of the GtE project, will start in the Wales Development Zone (WDZ), West Bank Demerara.
“The 230kV Transmission Line will make its way to the West Bank River crossing point and then to the East Bank River crossing point at Garden of Eden. The river crossing section will be an overhead line across the Demerara River,” the document states.
“Subsequently, this Line will then be routed from Garden of Eden to Amalia Falls Transmission Corridor. This corridor runs parallel with the East Demerara Water Conservancy. The 230 kV Line will then be terminated and connected to the Goedverwagting Substation, East Coast Demerara.”
Mention is also made in the document about how land matters that may arise with the installation of these transmission networks, will be treated. It acknowledges that in some instances relocation of structures in the way of the project may be required.
“All land-related matters are currently under the purview of the Government of Guyana and will be determined at the Policy Level. There are several structures within the vicinity of Vreed-en-Hoop, which are in the path of the 69 kV transmission Lines right-of-way. Relocation may be required.”
“Additionally, near Friendship, EBD, there are sections of privately owned lands, which are in the right-of-way of the 230kV Transmission Line. Land Acquisition efforts will be led by the Gas to Energy- Task Force. There are no structures or current inhabitation of these privately owned lands, specifically the sections to be occupied by the 230 kV transmission line right-of-way,” the document states.
The US$159 million contract between the Government of Guyana and Indian contractor KPIL for that company to provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for the transmission lines and substations’ component of the Gas-to-Shore project, was signed last year.
KPIL is one of two Indian companies involved in critical aspects of the project – KPIL is the EPC Contractor for transmission lines and substations; and Engineers India Limited, whose contract was signed the year before, as the Project Management Consultant to the NGL Plant and the 300 MW CCGT Power Plant.
Meanwhile, Lindsayca CH4 Guyana Inc. (LNDCH4-Guyana) was given the contract to build the two plants, while the procurement and installation of the 225-km gas pipeline from the Wales project site to the offshore oil field was executed by US oil major ExxonMobil Guyana, which is carrying out production activities in the Stabroek Block.
Presently, however, the Guyana Government and Lindsayca are engaged in a dispute and have both made submissions to a three-member arbitration panel that was selected to resolve the ongoing US$50 million dispute regarding the timelines for the highly-anticipated energy project, which is expected to come on stream next year.