Utilities of Guyana

Power

Electricity generation in Guyana is almost entirely dependent on the import of fossil fuels. The state-owned Guyana Power and Light has a virtual monopoly on transmission and distribution and is the largest electricity generator in the country. Other companies licensed to generate and supply electricity include Linden Power Company and Kwakwani Utilities.

The government has sought to diversify sources of electricity generation – a project to build a major hydropower plant is currently on hold (see box). The main regulatory body in the sector is the Public Utilities Commission, with the Guyana Energy Agency also playing a role in ensuring the sector is developing in compliance with the country’s energy policy.

Water

The water supply in Guyana comes from both ground and surface water sources. The state-owned Guyana Water Incorporated is the nation’s primary supplier of water. Only six per cent of the population have no access to an improved drinking water source and 84 per cent have adequate sanitation facilities (2010). Several small bottling companies exist supplying bottled mineral water to the domestic market.

Telecoms

There are 202 main telephone lines, 699 mobile phone subscriptions and 320 internet users per 1,000 people (2011). Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) is the largest telecoms operator in the country and is the sole provider of fixed line services. Eighty per cent of GT&T’s shares are owned by the US-based Atlantic Tele-Network. A new Telecommunications Act is likely to be passed in 2014, which will liberalise the fixed line market. GT&T also provides mobile services along with Digicel Guyana. The main internet service providers include GT&T, Broadband Inc, Guyana Net and I-Net Communications. The Public Utilities Commission is the public body responsible for regulation pertaining to the telecommunications sector, in accordance with the 1990 Telecommunications Act. There are 38 personal computers per 1,000 people (2005).