These vehicles will significantly improve GPL’s ability to expand and maintain transmission and distribution systems

In response to an article published in the Kaieteur News, dated 2020 June 19 and titled, ‘GPL buys 8 bucket trucks for $587M, the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) offers the following response, which addresses the key issues relating to:

i)             The equipment being procured and cost

ii)            The process used to select the supplier

iii)           The current status of the order

The equipment being procured are modern mobile elevated working platforms comprising IVECO trucks retrofitted with VERSALIFT aerial lifts and ancillary equipment.

The lifts being supplied with the trucks are based on specifications developed by GPL’s technical staff, following extensive consultations and research, and are intended to provide optimal performance under Guyanese conditions.

Versalift has been one of the leading companies in the aerial lift industry in reliability and innovation since 1967 and their equipment will provide the following benefits:

–              Improved safety of all operators with the buckets insulated to provide protection up to 46,000 volts

–              Dual controls with operation possible from in the bucket and on the deck

–              Off center hitch design which will allow 360-degree rotation of the lifts when extended, thereby providing maximum flexibility

–              Auxiliary ports on the deck and in the bucket to facilitate use of power tools

–              Special equipment to facilitate lifting of transformers and heavy materials up to the elevated bucket, thereby eliminating the need for multiple trucks

–              Outriggers (A & H frame designs) to ensure the stability of the trucks, bunkers and additional sub frame for assured stability.

The cost of the trucks constitute approximately 35% of the overall cost of the equipment to be supplied, the balance is made up of the cost of the lifting equipment, ancillary equipment, retrofitting costs (installing the lifting equipment onto the trucks) and the freight and insurance costs to deliver the lifting equipment and trucks from USA and Europe respectively, then retrofitting, certifying and commissioning in Guyana Also included are the costs for operator training of GPL staff in Guyana on the new equipment and preventative maintenance for one year.

The current status of the Order

The supplier had advised GPL that, as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, both the manufacturer of the trucks in Europe and the manufacturer of the lifting equipment in the USA had encountered issues which affected their respective operations resulting in temporary delays in their supply chain processes.