Georgetown: The 2013 Mid-Year report has projected a four percent growth for the full year for the electricity sector which has already grown by 5.3 percent. The current growth was sustained by strong public sector activity in the first half of the year, particularly in road and infrastructural works, combined with private housing construction and private sector construction activities in the business sector which have continued to expand.
The report, released recently by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh stated that Government continued to place keen emphasis on the strengthening of the energy sector and despite the cuts of funding for the electricity sector from the 2013 national budget, works in the sector went ahead.
In the first six months of 2013, a total of $1.7 billion was expended. This expenditure reflects efforts made to advance works on the installation of the new Wartsila engines at Vreed-en-Hoop, construction and upgrading of five substations, upgrading of one substation, installation of transmission lines from Sophia to Onverwagt and the frequency conversion programme.
The Guyana Power and Light continues to work on the development of new initiatives aimed at reducing losses. The rewiring of sections of the distribution network is ongoing, with Cummings Park reconfiguration being completed in the first half of 2013.
As it relates to the re-metering programme, the procurement of materials has been completed and works have commenced. The supply and installation of smart meters, which seek to use modern technology to combat theft, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
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