Last Updated on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 21:07 by Writer
The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is losing more than GY$3 billion annually to the theft of electricity, and the power company has since asked the police to catch the thieves as part of an ongoing crackdown.
GPL’s Divisional Director of Engineering Services Ryan Ross told a news conference on Monday that of the 24 overall losses, 13 to 15 percent is commercial losses from the diversion or theft of electricity and the remainder is technical losses.
“It’s in excess of $200 million for 1 percent. The last time this was calculated is (sic) about GY$200 million — a million U.S. dollars for 1 percent,” he said.
Extrapolated, that means the GPL is losing another GY$1.8 billion on technical losses from transformers and transmission lines totalling about nine percent.
In recent weeks, the GPL has been cracking down on illegal electricity connections but so far there has been no word of anyone having been charged with an offence.
Executive leader of the power company Kesh Nandlall said he has since written Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken seeking help to arrest and charge electricity thieves.
“We will go out there and prosecute people now,” he said.
The utility company says electricity theft is illegal and dangerous.
Illegal connections can overload the network, damage critical infrastructure, contribute to power disruptions and pose serious risks of electrocution and electrical fires.
The GPL says it is continuing exercises in communities across the country to curb electricity theft and protect the safety and reliability of the electricity network.
See an illegal connection? Report it by calling 226-2600 | Toll-free: 0475 or WhatsApp: 699-4882.
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