GEC Privatization and GPL Related Links: Telephones Letters Menu Archival Menu From the National Development Strategy The right to let us know May 15, 2007 GPL reprivatisation policy approved -- Luncheon April 14, 2007 Stealing from GPL is unacceptable April 10, 2007 Blackout hits Demerara system March 15, 2007 Power company must cut losses to 30% before IDB provides more $$ March 5, 2007 GPL, GWI cause growing concern February 19, 2007 If GPL wants consumer support it must take complaints on board February 18, 2007 Opposition lashes out at GPL January 22, 2007 Nearly 450,000 energy saving bulbs installed January 15, 2007 GPL restores electricity to all disconnected M&CC buildings January 12, 2007 GPL equipped to deal with holiday power demand December 22, 2006 GPL restores power to City Council day care, nursery school December 10, 2006 Power thieves hitting GPL hard -- losses at $2.4 billion December 9, 2006 In five months Power company chops 6,000 illegal hook-ups December 9, 2006 GPL cuts off city hall for $200M debt November 25, 2006 GPL needs a mature person to handle complaints April 17, 2005 Time for a GPL end-of-blackout timetable August 16, 2004 Guyana Power & Light rakes in $12Bln August 12, 2004 PUC demands public hearing with GPL July 27, 2004 GPL tables major expansion plan July 16, 2004 GPL outlines $120M five-year development and expansion plan July 16, 2004 Highhanded and heartless July 10, 2004 GPL scrambling to meet port code deadline June 30, 2004 Let there be light at the end of the tunnel April 19, 2004 No power tariff hike for first quarter this year - GPL February 12, 2004 GPL: No first-quarter tariff increase February 12, 2004 Complaints against GPL have been frequent February 8, 2004 Power company rips out illegal Sophia connections January 21, 2004 GPL targeting power grid squatters January 15, 2004 Illegal connections continue to alarm GPL January 15, 2004 GPL: Accounting firm was not stealing or tampering with electricity November 12, 2003 GPL will go ‘street by street’ to catch electricity thieves October 30, 2003 Large users returning to GPL October 30, 2003 GPL ordered to reimburse consumers over 2001 billing October 9, 2003 GPL now depending heavily on consumer payments September 23, 2003 Improved power supply attributed to active debt servicing, equipment maintenance September 21, 2003 Baksh defends water utility in arrears row with GPL August 30, 2003 GPL threatens to pull plug on water utility over $340M arrears August 29, 2003 The power and message of blackouts August 16, 2003 GPL managers given 10% increase for 2002 July 22, 2003 China’s help being sought on Moco Moco hydro station July 17, 2003 GPL: No third-quarter light bill increase July 17, 2003 GPL still looking for strategic private investor July 17, 2003 Power back in Region 9 after Moco Moco hydro landslide July 15, 2003 Moco Moco breakdown July 12, 2003 Engineers assessing Moco Moco hydro-plant damage July 12, 2003 Moco Moco plant may be out for at least six months July 11, 2003 Power rates re-balancing needed to ease burden on businesses June 24, 2003 GPL advertises for power producers in Berbice June 8, 2003 GPL embarking on $500M maintenance programme June 4, 2003 GPL seeks partner for Berbice power supply June 4, 2003 GPL calculates tariff increase of 27.62% May 18, 2003 Blackouts in city after primary conductor cut in Water Street May 16, 2003 Linden in electricity limbo again May 11, 2003 Disconnecting companies leave GPL short May 4, 2003 Banks DIH to save $160M with own power supply April 23, 2003 Electricity tariffs set to increase by 16% April 18, 2003 New GPL board promises efficient power supply April 18, 2003 New GPL Board appointed April 16, 2003 Ronald Alli is new chairman of GPL board April 11, 2003 Petition against GPL tariff hike discharged April 9, 2003 Gaskin loses fight to block electricity rates increases April 9, 2003 Water and power April 2, 2003 GPL tariff mechanism may be obsolete April 2, 2003 Blackout mars sporting spectacle in Linden, water woes return April 2, 2003 Gov’t buys back GPL for US$1 April 1, 2003 GPL managers to leave by April 30 March 30, 2003 Legal arguments begun on challenged GPL rates increase March 29, 2003 Power rationing to be reduced to 4 hours per day March 29, 2003 Parties fail to reach agreement on GPL March 28, 2003 Decision likely soon in GPL talks March 27, 2003 Blackout schedule spread evenly - says GPL March 26, 2003 Finance Ministry to clear all Government debts to GPL March 22, 2003 Jagdeo pushes for new GPL deal March 21, 2003 Solar, wind systems offer reliable alternatives to GPL March 21, 2003 Gov’t position on power-company restructuring expected today March 18, 2003 Gaskin fires lawyer in GPL hearing March 18, 2003 CDC ready to sell GPL share for $1 March 13, 2003 Government exploring all avenues to avoid power cuts March 13, 2003 Gov't hands over $100M for GPL fuel March 11, 2003 Government provides G$100M to GPL to maintain generation March 11, 2003 Skeldon co-generation power project shelved March 10, 2003 CDC dangles US6.25M investment but conditions apply March 9, 2003 Eight-hour blackout schedule in place March 8, 2003 Solution to GPL problems must include new management-President Jagdeo March 8, 2003 Private sector wants thorough audit of GPL March 7, 2003 Investor prepared to go in return for last tranche March 6, 2003 Talks on troubled GPL conclude March 6, 2003 Affordable and reliable power March 3, 2003 Gaskin proposes people’s buy out of power company March 3, 2003 Hinds' GPL funding proposal gets mixed reviews March 2, 2003 Hinds refutes PNCR power deal claims March 1, 2003 PM refutes PNC/R allegations on electricity situation March 1, 2003 CDC open to selling its stake in GPL February 28, 2003 Hinds calls for local investment in GPL February 28, 2003 Watchdog commission issues electricity advisory February 26 2003 GPL deal failed to address system losses - Gaskin February 25 2003 Public utilities: Consumers needprotection from monopoly exploitation February 23, 2003 Recent blackouts unconnected to conserving of fuel February 21, 2003 GPL responds to hydroelectric firm's claims February 21, 2003 Hydropower could lower GPL tariff February 20, 2003 Hydroelectric firm wants GPL to start talks on power purchase accord February 20, 2003 GPL shareholders discuss power supply plan February 20, 2003 GPL plans shutdown of buffer generator February 19, 2003 PNCR protests poor GPL service February 19, 2003 TUC protests GPL tariffs February 19, 2003 STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT OF GUYANA ON THE SITUATION WITH REGARD TO THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY February 16, 2003 Fuel shortages loom at GPL February 15, 2003 GPL talks aimed at trying to avert crisis February 14, 2003 Gov't briefs interest groups on power talks February 11, 2003 Talks under way on GPL problems February 6, 2003 Lindeners protest over blackouts February 5, 2003 Greater sense of urgency needed February 3, 2003 High Court restricts GPL from hiking `light bills' February 1, 2003 Gov’t calls for GPL managers to go January 31, 2003 `Light bill' increases unjustified January 31, 2003 GPL tariffs up sharply January 29, 2003 `Light bills' set to go up from Saturday January 29, 2003 More of the same? January 22, 2003 Pressure mounts on GPL January 21, 2003 Luncheon denies reports of investor pullout from GPL January 16, 2003 Changes to power company pacts under negotiation January 13, 2003 Power company cannot issue estimated bills January 9, 2003 Couple blames GPL for fire at Lamaha Gardens home January 5, 2003 Power company promises Berbicians bright Christmas December 13, 2002 Power company, NAACIE agree on 10% wage hike December 2, 2002 Chamber alarmed by high power tariffs December 1, 2002 GPL profits marginal since 1999 – Lynn November 29, 2002 GPL worried over private generators November 28, 2002 Big companies choosing generators over GPL November 27, 2002 Speaker sues GPL over loss to fires November 27, 2002 Power company to be responsible for electricity in Timehri area November 23, 2002 GPL workers walk off job over protracted wage talks November 13, 2002 GPL points to improved supply over past 12 to 18 months October 25, 2002 Govt demanding improved power service by GPL October 24, 2002 GPL shareholder reorganises electricity investments October 22, 2002 GPL increases tariffs October 11, 2002 GPL carrying out major repairs on generating sets October 4, 2002 US$27.4M rural electrification loan pact signed September 4, 2002 Major power supply loan contract signed September 4, 2002 Power company appeals PUC $1.3B compensation decision August 3, 2002 Tapping into `green power' August 2, 2002 PUC orders GPL to compensate consumers for losses July 28, 2002 Power company ordered to pay $1.36B compensation July 25, 2002 Power company tariff change should be lower - regulatory body June 12, 2002 Power sharing answer to racial insecurity in Guyana, Trinidad June 11, 2002 GPL announces lower electricity charges June 4, 2002 Utility body challenges power tariff hike June 2, 2002 GPL's estimated bills are not acceptable May 19, 2002 The Guyana Power and Light's service May 13, 2002 Power company slammed on deplorable billing, increased losses April 21, 2002 Political, economic climate affecting borrowing - Lynn April 18, 2002 Company's performance cannot affect tariff setting April 18, 2002 Better can be done April 16, 2002 Power company barred from claiming retroactive payments March 31, 2002 Small turnout at power company protest march March 21, 2002 Money for debts key to progress - GPL March 16, 2002 Scheduled reduction in line losses was affected by lack of capital March 15, 2002 Consumers lambast power company March 13, 2002 GPL to hike bills by 15.9% from next month March 8, 2002 Guaranteed rate of return for a regulated monopoly unique to Guyana March 4, 2002 Electricity consumers over billed for January March 2, 2002 PM proposes three-month delay in power rates hike February 27, 2002 President firm on GPL higher rates issue February 27, 2002 Decisive steps needed on electricity front February 16, 2002 Unmet targets sparked power tariff increase February 9, 2002 No hike in light bills until after review February 9, 2002 GPL agrees to limit light bill increases February 8, 2002 Power tariff increase halved for this month February 8, 2002 Govt to blame for unjustified power tariff hikes - PNC/R February 8, 2002 Power company studying angst over rate hike February 7, 2002 Power company made after tax profit of $188.6M last year February 7, 2002 Luncheon accuses GPL of `managerial deficiencies' February 5, 2002 Bhookmohan takes GPL, GT&T to task February 4, 2002 Power company adopts measures to curb bribery and illegal reconnections - GPL January 27, 2002 Power company seals crucial US$18M loan January 23, 2002 Govt requests review of power company's management contract January 14, 2002 New power regulations to place heavy burden on consumers November 29, 2001 US $100M budgeted for power improvements November 19, 2001 GPL gears to meet Christmas demand for electricity October 23, 2001 Unreliable power supply hindering information technology revolution October 22, 2001 GPL gets key funds to improve electricity supply October 16, 2001 Govt receives third payment for power company shares October 16, 2001 Power cycles changeover under way in Georgetown October 16, 2001 Power for the people October 12, 2001 Meeting the power supply needs October 10, 2001 GPL moves to improve services October 9, 2001 President again slams GPL poor performance October 6, 2001 Luncheon says power problems creating continuous annoyance October 4, 2001 GPL says no quick fix to power problems September 29, 2001 GPL strike affecting consumers and schoolchildren September 13, 2001 GPL directors likely to meet President on power situation August 8, 2001 GPL top brass should listen to their customers July 15, 2001 GPL resists PUC advice on customers' service termination March 9, 2001 GPL reports $390M loss October 18, 2000 US$6M boost for GPL expansion programme September 30, 2000 Guyana Power and Light August 15, 2000 No quick fix to power blues August 11, 2000 The trouble with Guyana Power and Light July 30, 2000 Public hospital beset by power quality problems July 24, 2000 The quality of service from Guyana Power and Light Inc July 24, 2000 Commercial losses reduction a priority for power company July 19, 2000 Talk show hosts lead protest at GPL May 5, 2000 Election of opposition leader set for Wednesday April 15, 2000 GPL's transmission system upgrading continues March 7, 2000 Power company managers to develop operation enhancement strategies December 12, 1999 Local residential power tariff third lowest in region - survey November 28, 1999 Expectations of the new power company October 11, 1999 Great expectations October 11, 1999 New managers in place at GPL October 6, 1999 Partnership will revitalise power sector October 3, 1999 At last, power deal signed October 2, 1999 Consumer issues should be tackled before final GEC deal signing September 24, 1999 New power company will invite local investment in 24 months September 22, 1999 Legal framework for new power company presented to public September 21, 1999 GEC deal initialled-official takeover October 1 September 1, 1999 President to initial GEC agreements next week August 22, 1999 Consortium committed to GEC deal August 14, 1999 GEC deal still on course August 14, 1999 Prime Minister clarifies GEC General Manager statement August 14, 1999 CDC/ESBI's position on GEC remains unchanged -publicist August 4, 1999 GEC deal may be concluded in two weeks August 3, 1999 GUYOIL pressing Government to honour GEC's $1.2B debt July 31, 1999 Key GEC deal laws passed July 30, 1999 PUC bill passed after most opposition MPs walk out July 30, 1999 Hoyte knocks over law books - but GEC bill passed July 30, 1999 PNC, AFG to meet Glover on GEC deal concerns July 29, 1999 Enough of the threats July 28, 1999 Push GEC deal - private sector urges amid opposition July 28, 1999 Hoyte warns investors over GEC deal details July 28, 1999 Hoyte's threat not surprising - government July 28, 1999 GEC General Manager will be axed in new deal --PM Hinds July 28, 1999 Opposition Parliamentarians may opt out of GEC debate July 27, 1999 Parties denied access to GEC deal details July 26, 1999 Acting President meets opposition on GEC bills July 24, 1999 Trying for consensus July 23, 1999 GEC bills debate put off July 23, 1999 Debate on bills for GEC deal put back after queries raised July 23, 1999 No axing of GEC workers after privatisation --says CDC/ESBI July 15, 1999 GEC privatisation deal closer June 25, 1999 Letters of Intent exchanged for GEC privatisation deal June 25, 1999 A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples