8-hour power outages expected this week

Several communities in Georgetown and Berbice are bracing for at least eight hours of power outage during this week as a result of line maintenance and routine inspection to be conducted by the Guyana Power Light (GPL).
According to the utility company, the maintenance will be carried out from July 30 (Tuesday) to August 4 (Sunday).
The works will commence on Tuesday at A to E Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, Republic Park and New Providence on the East Bank of Demerara from 08:00h to 16:00h.
On Wednesday, July 31, these activities will continue at Best Village to La Retraite on the West Coast of Demerara and Canefield to Albion, Berbice, from 08:00h to 16:00h.
Thomas Street, New Market Street between Camp and Thomas Streets and environs, Georgetown are scheduled for maintenance on Saturday, August 3, from 08:00h to 16:00h.
The last maintenance will conclude on Sunday, August 4, in Holmes Street, Queen Street and environs, Georgetown from 08:00h to 16:00h
GPL advises persons residing in these areas to be on the lookout when these activities are conducted. An intermittent power supply can be expected.
Just last month, describing the recent challenges which beset the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL Inc) as a combination of unfortunate events, CEO of the company, Albert Gordon reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring that all affected citizens are supplied with reliable electricity as soon as feasible.
Recently, there has been damage caused to the submarine cable-link between GPL’s Kingston and Vreed-en-Hoop stations. According to the CEO, this will take an estimated three-week period for adequate repairs to be done.
The power company has come in for much criticism for the unreliable service. Also, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has the power company for failing to improve its services in accordance with performance targets previously set out. This is according to the PUC’s Annual Report for 2018.
The PUC also received some 248 complaints against the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc.
The highest complaints against GPL were received from Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Meanwhile, one project that would have assisted the Guyana Power and Light to get adequate electricity supply was the Amaila Falls hydropower project, which the coalition Government continually blocked while controlling the National Assembly by a one-seat Opposition majority.
The Norway-funded project, when completed, would have provided 165 megawatts to the national grid, thus providing cheaper and more reliable power to citizens and businesses.