GPL blames faulty circuit breaker for prolonged power outage

The Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS), which is controlled by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), experienced a shutdown on Thursday, affecting several areas across the coastal region.
The company explained on Friday that the shutdown occurred at approximately 13:35h due to a fault in one of the circuit breakers at the Garden of Eden Power Plant. This caused a “lock out” of the busbar facilitating the transfer of power from four generators. According to the GPL, the “sudden” loss of 18 megawatts of generator capacity resulted in the shutdown and technicians were deployed and managed to restore power in the first area by 13:56h. According to the utility company, by 15:00h, the defective breaker was replaced and all communities were supplied with electricity.
The utility company noted that prior to this shutdown, some sections of Georgetown, the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara, experienced periods of service interruptions “due to localised area faults caused by the inclement weather”.
Over the years, the woes of citizens have been directed towards poor services being offered by the company, with numerous power outages for trivial incidents.
Just a few months ago, a loan was granted from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to the tune of US$20 million, for upgrading the services to be provided by the Guyana Power Light (GPL).
The loan was expected to facilitate the rehabilitation of 153km of GPL’s medium voltage and low voltage network and 6941 smart meters, including the associated transformers, service lines and distribution boxes along with the rehabilitation and extension of two 69/13.8KV substations at Kingston and Vreed-en-Hoop.