Power company in service changes over coronavirus

In recognition of health risks linked to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Guyana Power and Light Inc. with effect from y e s t e r d a y has initiated temporary modifications to various categories of its service delivery.

In a statement, it listed the following:

Suspension of Application Submissions

All commercial locations of GPL Inc. with effect from yesterday will not accept applications for the following categories of service:

1. Change of Tenancy

2. Termination of Service

3. Load Increases/Decrease

4. New Services

Efforts are underway to accommodate applications for new services through i t s website www.gplinc.net before the end of the week dated Friday, March 20, 2020. Customers will be kept updated on the readiness of this online platform when it is completed.

Suspension of Field Services

Field staff within the Billing, Metering and Loss Reduction Departments will not be operational until April 2020, pending a review of developments through the Ministry of Public Health.

The affected services are:

1. Residential and Commercial Meter Installations

2. Disconnections

3. Field Investigations

4. Meter Reading

GPL said that those metered customer accounts that will not be read from March 16, 2020 or unsuccessfully read prior to March 16, 2020 will be estimated if a reading is not submitted via its Whatsapp Service.

Customers can tender their meter readings and accompanying account number via Whatsapp to 608-8575 only during the reading period identified on the bill.

The kilowatt hours and total payable are automatically calculated as an average of the last six

months. This is done in accordance with the third Schedule of the Electricity Sector Reform Act Section 17 (1) and 5.2 of the STC under ‘Right of Access to Premises.

Office Closure

The following Offices will be closed until further notice

1. Mon Repos Customer Service Centre, East Coast Demerara

2. Middle Street Commercial Office, Georgetown

All other Customer Service Offices and Centres remain functional as of yesterday; should there be any deviation from this advisory, GPL will continue to provide updates.

Bill Payments:

Customers are advised to utilise the various electronic options of making payments; these are as follows:

● Mobile Money Guyana (MMG)

● Commercial Banks- Republic Bank |Scotia Bank |Demerara Bank |Citizens Bank |Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry | Bank of Baroda Agents- Bill Express | Surepay

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