The government yesterday received a Demand Side Management (DSM) Action Plan aimed at reducing Guyana’s projected electricity demand by 20% by 2030 through improved energy efficiency across the residential, commercial, industrial and public sectors.
The plan was presented to Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar by Head of Executive Management of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), Kesh Nandlall, and Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr Mahender Sharma.
According to GPL, the five-year action plan is intended to complement the country’s expanding electricity generation programme under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 and targets energy savings of 516 gigawatt-hours by the end of the decade.
Phillips described the initiative as an important component of the country’s energy transition.
“As Guyana continues its unprecedented development, we must ensure that our energy resources are used as efficiently as they are generated. This Action Plan provides a practical roadmap that supports sustainable development, strengthens our energy security and empowers every citizen to contribute to a greener future,” he said.
Indar said the government’s investments in electricity generation and the national grid should be accompanied by more efficient energy consumption.
“The Government is making unprecedented investments to expand electricity generation and modernise the national grid. This Action Plan complements our infrastructure investments by encouraging smarter energy consumption across every sector of the economy,” he said.
GPL stated that the plan identifies 10 priority initiatives covering the residential, commercial, industrial, office building and community services sectors.
Among the measures proposed are the expansion of smart and prepaid metering, upgrades to the electricity distribution network, greater use of energy-efficient appliances, energy audits for major consumers, more efficient street lighting, rooftop solar systems, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, public education campaigns and the promotion of energy-efficient building standards.
Nandlall said GPL would continue investing in technology and customer-focused initiatives to ensure the successful implementation of the plan.
“GPL is committed to integrating demand-side management into the way we deliver electricity services. This action plan will provide and allow the modernization of how we consume energy,” he said while thanking the government and the GEA for supporting the initiative.
Sharma said the action plan was developed following technical analysis and consultations with stakeholders and would contribute to Guyana’s transition to a greener economy.
GPL said the plan will be implemented jointly by the utility and the Guyana Energy Agency with the participation of consumers, businesses and public sector agencies.
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