Press Release
GPL ramping up efforts to supply oil and gas companies
GPL ramping up efforts to supply oil and gas companies
A section of the distribution network
As preparations for Guyana’s oil and gas sector gets underway, the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) is prepping to adequately supply oil and gas companies with reliable electricity.
The utility company has begun works to temporarily supply giant oil company Exxon Mobil with electricity for the construction of its Guyana head office at Ogle. GPL’s workers are currently executing capital works in the vicinity of Ogle, ECD where a new 13.8 kV line is being constructed to provide the energy required via a 300 KVA transformer.
Work being executed by a GPL Lineman
System Planning and Design Manager, Mr. Horace Woolford explained that Exxon Mobil applied to GPL for a temporary supply of 300KV of electricity to facilitate and expedite the construction of the company’s head office.
“Exxon will be purchasing power from GPL and requested a temporary supply for the construction after which they will do a permanent supply. We have already installed the transformers and we are currently conducting field work to determine the route of the line,” Mr. Woolford explained.
When the office is completed, Exxon indicated that their requirement will be up to 2500KVA from GPL. Mr. Woolford assured that the utility company is well prepared to supply the required amount. He posited that this will see GPL accruing huge revenues, which will help to further improve service delivery to customers.
“GPL’s network is being expanded and its customer base is increasing as we add new communities to the grid. Increased revenues will support additional instruments in the GPL infrastructure,” Mr. Woolford related. The works which started on January 15, are expected to wrap up within a weeks’ time.
Safety Advisor, at Exxon Mobil Ms. Keisha Smith
Safety Advisor, at Exxon Mobil Ms. Keisha Smith appreciates GPL’s efforts to power the oil company, noting it would eliminate the daily use of generators reducing the carbon foot print. She explained that “it is great that GPL is powering Exxon. We currently use a generator and it is consuming a lot of fuel and isn’t good for the environment. So GPL providing electricity would only see us utilizing the generators during power outages. But GPL’s overall service has improved since last year.”
Ms. Smith, who was the only woman when she came to work on the site in July, 2019, is tasked with ensuring that a safety management system is implemented on site. She makes sure that workers are always properly dressed with safety gears and inspects the site, tools and equipment to ensure they are safe for use.
In 2020, GPL will be pursuing a number developmental and expansion plans, which once implemented, will see the systems operating throughout the year with little chance of service interruptions.