GPL explains massive blackouts

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 20:59 by GxMedia

The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) on Friday explained the cuase of a number of blackouts over the last two days.

Following is a statement by the power company.

Last night, Thursday May 15, 2014, at around 22:32hrs, one of the two transmission lines between Sophia and Garden of Eden tripped resulting in a shutdown of the Demerara Interconnected System (DIS). Due to the time this incident occurred it was not possible to undertake a detailed inspection of the transmission line to determine the reason for the trip. An inspection is currently in progress, focusing on the section of the line traversing the backlands of Garden of Eden and Friendship, where the line protection calculated the fault may exist. 

The Demerara Interconnected System was incrementally restored with all circuits repowered by 00:28 hrs. Unfortunately power supply to consumers on the East Coast between Industry and Success was further affected by a burnt connection on a switch at Industry. The burnt connection was found at 01:15 hrs, repairs were completed and power was restored at 01:51hrs. 

On Wednesday, May 14, 2014 an unknown incident resulted in damages to four parts of a circuit supplying sections of Kingston, Cummingsburg and Werk-En-Rust. Repairs were completed by19:28hrs and power restored to all consumers. In undertaking the repairs, the supply to Consumers in other sections of Kingston, Cummingsburg and Werk-En-Rust had to be interrupted. Investigations are ongoing into what may have precipitated the damage to the circuit. GPL will undertake an upgrade to a section of the circuit this Sunday to reduce the impact any future fault this may have.

GPL extends sincerest apologies for the occurrences over the last two days and thanks customers for their patience. As our company progresses with its development agenda for 2014, it should be noted that power interruptions may occur as supply source for feeders are switched.

We are pleased to announce that the supply for most of our Consumers in South Georgetown has been switched to our new substation in North Ruimveldt.  Further, we are currently preparing to commission our new substation at Columbia (Mahaicony) and the power supply for all consumers between Burma Road and Victoria will be switched to this substation.