Skip to main content
11 Aug 2026

Guyana’s Grid Modernization Drive Accelerates Ahead of CEW 2027 Launch

Guyana’s Grid Modernization Drive Accelerates Ahead of CEW 2027 Launch
Guyana’s rapidly expanding energy sector is driving a new wave of investment in electricity infrastructure as the country prepares to integrate additional gas-to-power and renewable generation into its grid. With the government targeting universal energy access by 2030, grid modernization is becoming central to improving reliability, reducing losses and ensuring new generation capacity translates into broader economic growth.

These developments will take center stage at the Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2027 In-Country Launch, taking place in Georgetown on September 1. The event will bring together Guyanese utilities, grid-sector companies and international partners to examine ongoing modernization and expansion projects, highlight investment opportunities across the electricity value chain and discuss the country's energy strategy.

Managing Rising Electricity Demand

Guyana’s electricity demand has increased rapidly in recent years. Electricity generation rose from approximately 903 GWh in 2020 to 1,485 GWh in 2025, while peak demand has exceeded 200 MW.

At the same time, approximately 26% of electricity is reportedly lost through grid inefficiencies, highlighting the need for stronger transmission and distribution infrastructure and improved real-time grid management.

The government is responding by combining grid investment with measures to manage future demand. In July 2026, it unveiled a demand-side management strategy targeting a 20% reduction in electricity demand by 2030.

The strategy is expected to generate 516 GWh in energy savings, representing a 20% reduction against projected electricity generation of 2,508 GWh by 2030.

Preparing for Gas-to-Power and Renewables

Grid modernization is also being driven by Guyana’s expanding generation pipeline.

Guyana Power & Light, in partnership with InterEnergy Group, is advancing a modernization program involving the construction of more than 350 km of transmission lines, 240 km of distribution networks, 16 new or expanded substations and 20,000 smart meters.

The upgrades are designed to strengthen the grid’s capacity to manage new generation, including the 300 MW Wales Gas-to-Energy project, which is expected to double Guyana’s electricity generation capacity when operational by the end of 2026.

Public Investment Drives Grid Expansion

Guyana’s modernization strategy is also being supported by significant public investment. In February 2026, the government announced a $66 billion Electricity Expansion Program to upgrade the national grid.

The program is also intended to strengthen regional connectivity and create opportunities for greater electricity trading, supporting Guyana’s wider energy security ambitions.

As generation capacity expands, these investments will be critical to ensuring that new electricity supply reaches consumers efficiently while reducing losses across the network.

The combination of gas-to-power, renewable energy, smart-meter deployment, transmission expansion and demand-side management is creating opportunities across the electricity value chain, from grid infrastructure and digital technologies to engineering and energy services. These investment opportunities will be further explored at the CEW 2027 In-Country Launch in Georgetown.

As the first official milestone on the road to CEW 2027, the Georgetown launch will bring together government leaders, utilities, operators, investors and service providers to highlight Guyana’s evolving energy landscape and build momentum toward the region’s premier energy gathering.

To register for the CEW 2027 In-Country Launch in Georgetown on September 1, 2026, visit: https://hubs.la/Q04pC0Fp0

 

View all News
Loading