GPL repairing damaged 69kV submarine cable

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has commenced remedial works on the damaged 69 kV submarine cable which runs across the Demerara River and links the Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston power plants.
According to the company, the armour and insulation protection of the cable, which extends to the conductors, was damaged at two locations in June and August by vessels traversing the Demerara River.
The 69 kV cable, which rests along the upper Demerara River within proximity of Craig, East Bank Demerara, was dislodged by a barge sailing along the Demerara River in June.
Due to the extent of the damages, two repair kits had to be sourced from China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC), the company that laid the cable in 2012.
However, repairs to the cable were delayed due to the discovery of the second damage in August, which required additional diagnosis and testing.
As a consequence, both repair kits were manufactured and shipped to Guyana.
Following the arrival of the kits, the contractor, CMC, immediately commenced work to retrieve and repair the compromised sections of the cable, which were approximately 0.7 and 0.8 km offshore the Kingston Substation.
Upon completion, the cable will be re-energised to transfer power generated by the Vreed-en-Hoop Plant to supply the eastern section of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS).
Additionally, as a preventative measure, the cable will be reburied in the Demerara River to a depth of approximately 15 feet.