The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) has announced a planned interruption in electricity supply on Sunday as ongoing road expansion works along the East Coast Demerara corridor move into a new phase near Mahaica.
In a statement, GPL said sections of its transmission infrastructure will be diverted to facilitate the Government of Guyana’s road upgrade programme, a major infrastructure push aimed at modernising one of the country’s busiest transport arteries.
The utility company explained that the L17 transmission line, which interconnects the Good Hope and Columbia substations, must be temporarily rerouted to allow construction to proceed safely and without disruption.
As a result, customers in Unity (north of the Public Road), Lancaster and Mosquito Hall are expected to experience a power outage between 09:00 hrs and 17:00 hrs.
GPL expressed regret for the inconvenience, noting that the temporary disruption is necessary to support long-term improvements in both transportation and electrical infrastructure.
The works form part of a broader government-led initiative to upgrade the East Coast Demerara roadway, a corridor that carries thousands of commuters daily and serves as a critical link between Georgetown and several coastal communities.
In recent years, the administration of Irfaan Ali has prioritised large-scale road expansion projects to address longstanding congestion and safety concerns along the East Coast. Sections of the corridor have already undergone widening and rehabilitation, including upgrades to drainage systems, bridges and traffic management infrastructure.
The Ministry of Public Works has said the multi-phase project is designed to transform the corridor into a modern, high-capacity roadway, reducing travel time while improving safety and efficiency. The expansion is also expected to support economic growth by easing the movement of goods and services and unlocking new opportunities for housing and commercial development along the coast.
Officials have repeatedly highlighted that the East Coast corridor has, for decades, struggled with traffic bottlenecks, particularly during peak hours, as population growth and increased vehicle ownership placed added pressure on existing infrastructure.
The current upgrade programme builds on earlier works carried out in communities from Better Hope to Belfield and extending further east, forming part of a wider national strategy to enhance connectivity and support Guyana’s rapid economic expansion.
GPL said it will continue to work closely with contractors and government agencies to minimise disruptions while supporting the country’s infrastructure transformation agenda.