Dear Editor,
The world’s energy crisis is not only taking a toll on the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), but is also threatening the very economic vitality of the entire electricity supply industry in Guyana, which is based on fuel. This fuel has to be imported at abnormally high prices.
Thus, GPL is reluctantly compelled to invoke the fuel purchase and an anticipated fuel bill escalation.
Recognising the fact that the total electricity supply capability of the country is below what is required, there is need to enhance the overall economic viability of the electricity supply industry. There will also be a standardised frequency of 60 hertz, and this is necessary for large-scale conversion of both consumer and utility equipment.
The hydro project will be large enough to cater not only for the normal anticipated load increase, but also for the development of the aluminium smelting and wood pulp industries.
Guyanese will also have an improved standard of living and the necessity for widespread and systematic load shedding, which is a regular feature, will no longer exist.
The previous deficiencies which now exist in the electricity supply industry will not be there any longer, and the grave financial problems facing GPL will be over.
Despite some measure of progress, the current system in place does not adequately provide for the needs of the nation. The government through GPL has embarked on a programme, which will not only cater for increasing demands, but also for the physical expansion and establishment of the other systems in rural areas.
It is hoped that the first hydro project scheme will be achieved by 1982 and that Guyana will embark on a major programme of expansion.
This programme embraces the establishment of national links through the many stations, thereby inter connecting the majority of the existing and the isolated systems.
These connections will enable the establishment of central generating stations, permit us to use larger generating units, reduce the amount of total reserve capacity required and enable the achievement of higher efficiencies, and generally promote in terms of how far we have yet to go.
By completing the hydro project, Guyana will make maximum use of it in its development.
This achievement will also serve as a step for greater efforts and greater success in the future.
Editor’s note
This letter was an essay written in 1980 by a student teacher who was preparing for teachers’ examinations.
Name and address of the sender was provided.