Electricity sector in Guyana

"Source": Guyana Power & Light

The objective of Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is to reduce total losses to 15.4% by the year 2010, 10.3% on the technical front plus 5.1% commercial. Guyana Power and Light 2006]

Responsibilities in the electricity sector

Policy and regulation

The legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the electricity sector includesWorld Bank 2007] :

Office of the Prime Minister (OPM): has principal policy-making and regulatory responsiblity in the sector, including for granting licences to the public utilities and independent power producers and approval of development and expansion plans and of operating standards and performance targets for Guyana Power & Light (GPL), the principal supplier. [ [http://www.electricity.gov.gy/sector.php?id=opm.txt Office of the Prime Minister] ]

Guyana Energy Agency (GEA): is the successor of the Guyana National Energy Authority (GEA). The GEA came into operation on 1st June 1998 by appointment of the Minister; it is responsible for all energy related matters. It is the mandate of the GEA "To ensure the rational and efficient use of imported petroleum-based energy sources, while encouraging, where economically feasible and environmentally acceptable, increased utilization of indigenous new and renewable sources of energy."

Public Utilities Commission (PUC): is the multi-sector independent regulatory agency with authority to set rates, develop regulations and resolve disputes.

Generation, transmission and distribution

Guyana Power & Light (GPL) dominates the electricity sector in Guyana. GLP is a vertically integrated government-owned utility with a monopolistic position on transmission and distribution, and a major stake (55%) in generation. The fragile financial position of GPL (due mainly to heavy system losses and high exposure to oil prices) constrains its investment capacity on essential maintenance and improvement of generation plants and transmission lines and grid. GPL faces financial difficulties due to a combination of net operating losses (i.e. tariffs below costs) and high commercial losses. World Bank 2007]

Sector policy

The “Energy Policy of Guyana,” completed in 1994, advocates the replacement of imported petroleum, as far as possible, by indigenous renewable energy sources. Increased and more efficient use of domestic energy resources, primarily hydropower and bagasse for electricity generation, is envisaged to contribute significantly in this regard. More recently, the System Development Plan prepared by GPL (Guyana Power and Light) in 2000 and its 2007-2011 Development and Expansion Programme (D&E) reflect the official government policy of utilizing Guyana’s renewable energy resources such as biomass and hydropower. World Bank 2007] Meanwhile, the sector policy has also relied on the encouragement of private sector participation in building a healthy market-oriented economy. The policy envisaged that Independent Power Producers (IPPs), which are investor-owned enterprises involved in power generation, will be encouraged. Additional policies are certainly needed to strengthen the energy sector. World Bank 2007]

Expansion plans

The short to medium term generation plans included the use of renewable resources, including 4MW from a Wind Farm and 10MW from a Bagasse co-generation facility. These together with some 35MW of heavy fuel oil fired capacity would provide a total of 49MW of firm capacity during the five year (2007-2011) programme. According to GPL's annual report 2006, the inability to conclude Power Purchase Agreements for the Wind Farm and 35MW of heavy fuel oil-fired capacity meant that the entire generation plan had to be rolled forward into the 2007 – 2011 Development & Expansion Programme. Guyana Power and Light 2006]

Renewable energy

Hydroelectricity

Guyana has a massive but yet unrealized potential for hydropower generation. Hydropower generation capacity has been estimated at 7,600 MW, that is, more than 30 times the current installed capacity in the country. Feasibility studies have been carried out for specific projects, but up to now, this potential remains untapped, mainly due to the considerable capital investments required to set up new power facilities. Indeed, beside the actual investment in generation plants, transmission lines would also be required, as most of the generation potential is inland, far from the zones of heaviest demand along the coast. World Bank 2007]

Continued steep increases in the price of fuel influenced a Government decision to accelerate the development of hydropower. Consequently, negotiations for the 100MW Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project on the Kuribrong River moved forward with the aim to bring it to fruition in the year 2011. Guyana Power and Light 2006]

Bagasse

Guyana has opportunities for electricity generation based on renewable resources linked to its large sugar industry. Electricity can be generated using bagasse, a by-product of sugar production, as basic fuel for thermoelectric facilities. Bagasse generation benefits from lower and more stable cost of than oil-based generation, as well as lower carbon emissions. A major bagasse co-generation project was implemented in 2006 by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco). This project expanded power generation capacity by a further 25 MW (15 MW bagasse-based and 10 MW diesel-based) through an investment of US$27 million in a bagasse co-generation scheme. One third of the new capacity was allocated to the local grid through a Power Purchase Agreement. World Bank 2007]

Because of its climate, Guyana has a large potential for sugarcane crops, as well as a large sugar industry that could benefit from additional revenue opportunities such as energy generation. Even though it may not be feasible to meet Guyana’s power demand with bagasse-based facilities, they can help to reduce the reliance of the sector on imported oil, while having a positive environmental impact through reduced carbon emissions. However, an important constraint to Guyana’s bagasse-based generation potential is the lack of year-round supply of bagasse, which means that a substantial investment in storage and hauling would be required. World Bank 2007]

Wind

The potential for wind-based generation is considered to be significant, although no comprehensive studies have been carried out. The Guyana Energy Agency reported a pilot project for a wind turbine in Guyana’s east coast. This is a small project with expected energy savings of around US$30,000, and a payback period of 40 months. However, no major projects are being put in place. Other Caribbean countries such as Barbados and St. Lucia have promoted the use of such renewable energy sources through initiatives that include the removal of taxes and import tariffs on wind-farm equipment. World Bank 2007]

History of the electricity sector

Guyana Power & Light (GPL) It was originally named the Guyana Electricity Corporation, wholly owned by the Government of Guyana. In late 1999, a 50/50 equity partnership was established between the Government of Guyana and a consortium comprising the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) of the United Kingdom, and the Electricity Supply Board International (ESBI) of Ireland which created the new Company, GPL. This partnership was dissolved in 2003 and GPL reverted to 100 percent ownership by the Government of Guyana. World Bank 2007]

The failure of GPL to significantly cut back its technical and commercial losses has been deemed to be largely due to the lack of incentives for efficiency due to its ownership structure. Accordingly, its privatization was expected to generate commercial incentives to improve efficiency, while also enhancing private funding to develop the system. However the privatized venture failed to deliver the results expected and, after a few years returned to Government ownership. A future re-privatization of GPL is unlikely to occur before the regulatory and institutional framework of the sector is improved. World Bank 2007]

Tariffs and subsidies

Tariffs

Electricity prices in Guyana are the third highest in the Caribbean due in large part to the country’s reliance on expensive imported oil for electricity generation. At present the cost of fuel accounts for up to 60 percent of the total cost of electricity generation. Recent oil price hikes are passed on to consumers, as logically part of such increases in production inputs would be reflected in the price that consumers have to pay. World Bank 2007]

An announced tariff reform will aim to rebalance the loads between industrial and domestic use through an increase in the domestic tariff, and a reduction of the industrial tariff. The new tariff structure will be implemented within a timeframe of 4 to 5 years after its approval by the Prime Minister. World Bank 2007]

Tariffs effective February 2008 areGuyana Power and Light 2006] :

* Residential: 0.246 to 0.273 US$/kWh ( weighted average for LAC in 2005: 0.105 [http://realserver.worldbank.org/wbimm/lacelectricity/home.htm Benchmarking data of the electricity distribution sector in Latin America and Caribbean Region 1995-2005] ] )
* Commercial: US$0.355/kWh
* Industrial: 0.276 to 0.320 US$/kWh ( weighted average for LAC in 2005: 0.1075 [http://realserver.worldbank.org/wbimm/lacelectricity/home.htm Benchmarking data of the electricity distribution sector in Latin America and Caribbean Region 1995-2005] ] )
* Government: 0.283 to 0.370 US$/kWh

Subsidies

n/a

Investment and financing

Reduction of Guyana’s reliance on imported oil and the improvement of energy efficiency will require large investments that will impact on the fiscal stability of the country. The World Bank estimates that an increase in electricity intensity in Guyana at a level comparable with peer Caribbean countries would require investments over the next 10 years of between US$805 million and US$1,497 million (or between 10 and 19 percent of its GDP). However, under the current ownership structure of the system, this level of investment would pose a significant burden on the Government of Guyana, and would create considerable debt sustainability concerns. World Bank 2007]

Installed capacity is expected to increase by 62.5 MW in the period 2007-2009, as part of a US$120 million plan for future development managed by GPL. This plan also aims to address issues of distribution (through the construction of transmission lines and enhancement of the network) and efficiency. World Bank 2007]

Private sector participation in the electricity sector

Independent Power Producers (IPPs) own and operate 45 percent of the installed generation capacity, which is thermoelectric. The table below shows the generation share of GPL and IPPsWorld Bank 2007] :

"Source": World Bank, 2007

(1) In 2005-2007, only GPL, GSC, BERMINE and AMC have sold electricity to the grid [http://www.sdnp.org.gy/gea/downloads.php Guyana Energy Agency] ] .

IPPs are mainly large corporate firms that generate power for their own needs and sell excess capacity to the national grid. In the last few years, there have been formal efforts to enhance the relationships between IPPs and GPL; these include co-generation projects, plans for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and explicit interest government interest in renewable energy projects. The expectations for capacity growth are reliant on the participation of these independent producers. World Bank 2007]

A significant enhancement of the regulatory framework will be required in order to ensure the viability of GPL as a potential private venture, and to encourage further private investment. While private participation is desirable, it may also not lead to significant improvements when regulatory capacity is weak and enforcement of contracts is insecure, as is the case in Guyana. World Bank 2007]

ummary of private sector participation

The electricity sector in Guyana is dominated by Guyana Power and Light (GPL), a vertically integrated government-owned utility with a monopolistic position on transmission and distribution, and a major stake in generation. World Bank 2007]

Electricity and the environment

Responsibility for the environment

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the institution in charge of environmental issues in Guyana, focusing on effective environmental management and protection and the sustainable use of Guyana’s natural resources. [ [http://www.epaguyana.org/ Environmental Protection Agency] ]

Greenhouse gas emissions

Guyana emitted 1.58 millions tons of CO2 in 2005, which corresponds to 2.07 tCO2 per capita annually. [ [http://www.eia.doe.gov/environment.html Energy Information Administration, International Emissions Data] ]

CDM projects in electricity

Currently (September 2008), there in one CDM registered project in the electricity sector in Guyana, the [http://cdm.unfccc.int/Projects/DB/SGS-UKL1196357091.25/view Skeldon Bagasse Cogeneration Project] . Average emission reductions for this project have been estimated at 44,733 tCO2e. [http://cdm.unfccc.int/Projects/projsearch.html UNFCCC] ]

External assistance

Inter-American Development Bank

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is supporting several projects in the electricity sector:

* [http://www.iadb.org/projects/Project.cfm?project=GY0065&Language=English Unserved Areas Electrification Program] : supported through a US$27.4 million loan approved in 2002, it aims to accelerate electricity sector development and extension of service to currently unserved consumers.)

* [http://www.iadb.org/projects/Project.cfm?project=GY-L1014&Language=Englis Power Sector Support Program] : through a US$12 million loan approved in December 2007, this program aims to support the development of the power sector by means of promoting reduction of electricity losses, while including reforms and strengthening measures to the regulatory framework, strengthening and development of the power utility provider, and social awareness programs, among others, in order to achieve sustainable solutions.

The IDB is also providing technical assistance for:

* [http://www.iadb.org/projects/Project.cfm?project=TC0011035&Language=English Strengthening Electricity Sector Regulation in Support of Private Investment] : technical assistance recently completed (July 2008)

* [http://www.iadb.org/projects/Project.cfm?project=GY-T1061&Language=English Expanding Bioenergy Opportunities in Guyana] : this US$ 675,500 technical assistance aims to improve the capacity of the Government to better respond to project proposals related to non-traditional energy sources, with particular emphasis on bioenergy and to increase capacity within the Government in relation to bio-energy technology and research.

Sources

* Guyana Power and Light, 2006. [http://www.gplinc.com/Annual_Report_2006.pdf Annual Report]
*World Bank, 2007. [http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2007/10/05/000020439_20071005091246/Rendered/PDF/359511GY0V2.pdf Guyana Investment Climate Assessment, Vol II]

Notes

See also

* Guyana
* Economy of Guyana
* Water supply and sanitation in Guyana
* History of Guyana
* Politics of Guyana

External links

* [http://www.electricity.gov.gy/index.php Prime Minister's Office:Electricity and Energy Sectors in Guyana]
* [http://www.gplinc.com/ Guyana Power & Light (GPL)]
* [http://www.sdnp.org.gy/gea/ Guyana Energy Agency (GEA)]
* [http://www.epaguyana.org/ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)]