GPL removes 63 illegal connections in NA crackdown 

Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) has removed 63 illegal electricity connections during an enforcement exercise in New Amsterdam (NA), Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) as the utility continues efforts to reduce electricity theft and commercial losses.
The exercise, conducted on Friday by GPL’s Loss Reduction Department, targeted Anjoys Avenue and Budhan Scheme and covered 59 pole spans.
GPL said several persons were also cautioned to desist from illegally connecting to its electricity network.
The latest enforcement action comes one day after GPL removed more than 55 illegal connections during an exercise at Kuru Kuru College Road along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
The utility has been stepping up enforcement exercises across communities as it seeks to address electricity theft and other commercial losses affecting its distribution network.
GPL officials have estimated the utility’s total losses at between 13 and 15 per cent, with each one percentage point representing more than $200 million in lost revenue.

GPL Chief Executive Officer Kesh Nandlall recently said enforcement exercises were being conducted along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and surrounding communities to address illegal connections and other issues affecting the reliability of electricity services.
GPL Divisional Director of Engineering Services Ryan Ross previously explained that electricity theft forms part of the company’s commercial losses, which, together with technical losses, account for about 13 to 15 per cent of the utility’s total losses.
According to GPL, illegal connections can overload transformers and feeders, damage critical network infrastructure, and contribute to power disruptions. The utility also warned that such connections pose risks of electrocution and electrical fires.
GPL reiterated that electricity theft is a criminal offence and said it will continue conducting enforcement exercises across Guyana to identify and remove illegal connections.
Members of the public have also been urged to report illegal electricity connections through GPL’s confidential hotlines at 226-2600 and 0475, or via WhatsApp at 699-4882.