Power rationing to be reduced to 4 hours per day
Stabroek News
March 29, 2003
Due to uncertainty over future supplies of fuel, Guyana Power & Light Inc (GPL) has announced that the power outages are scheduled to continue although on a four-hour per day schedule.
A release from the company said that during the week ending March 28, the government had paid an additional $150M towards its outstanding electricity bills and the sum enabled GPL to purchase a normal load of fuel which was expected to arrive in Guyana today or yesterday.
But the release noted that the company's next purchase of fuel at the start of April was very uncertain since it was unclear if a similar payment would be forthcoming. "If not, the purchase at that time could be as low as 50% of a normal fuel load." This could lead to significant inconsistencies in supply with ten days of 100% power and the next ten days having only 50%. "This is considered to be undesirable..."
As a result it has been decided to try and even out the fuel over the next twenty-day period. It is planned to reduce the current periods of outage from six hours per day to four hours.
Customers can assist in alleviating the situation by reducing their use of electricity; paying current charges and any arrears on their electricity bills; and not waiting for the full credit period on the bill to make payment, said GPL.
