Thousands of persons were without power on Sunday night as the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) grid encountered a fault, which is now under investigation.
GPL Chairman Rawle Lucas
The utility company posted on Monday that its submarine cable which links the Kingston and Vreed-en-Hoop Stations developed some technical issues. This affected distribution to the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS), resulting in power outages in a number of locations.
“The normal transfer of power from our Vreed-en-Hoop to Kingston stations for further distribution into the rest of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System is hindered because this is the only link between the two stations. This resulted in a generation deficit on the eastern sections of Demerara and Berbice,” GPL stated.
As a result of this, load shedding was experienced on Monday. The areas affected in Georgetown included Prashad Nagar, Kitty, Campbellville, Subryanville, Vlissengen Road, Bel Air Park, Queenstown and Alberttown. In addition, Buss Bee Dam to Providence and Garden of Eden to Craig were some of the areas that were affected on the East Bank of Demerara.
Disruptions continued from La Retraite to Vriesland on the West Bank of Demerara and Republic Road and Strand, New Amsterdam in Berbice.
Less than one week ago, new GPL Board Chairman Rawle Lucas shared his optimism that they could come up with strategies to relieve Guyanese of the burden of constant power outages.
In an interview with Guyana Times, Lucas acknowledged that blackouts were a problem. In fact, he described them as “a thorn in the flesh”, and noted that policies to reduce blackouts would be pursued by the Board.
“The issue of blackouts has become like a thorn in the flesh. And we cannot keep living with these thorns in our flesh. We have to try and do something about it. And I want to assure you that it will be a main area of focus, certainly of this Board.”
One of the things he believes should be done is reviewing GPL’s infrastructure, which would include the interconnected system. Supplying power to this system are engines run by the Power Producers and Distribution Incorporated (PPDI).
“I do believe that there are things that we can do with respect to improving the performance of the entity. You know, one can look at the asset management and the financial management and some of the technical issues which might be driving some of these unpleasant outcomes and blackouts,” he noted.
The new Board has been installed at a time when GPL’s service has been heavily criticised by citizens. This is owing to regular power outages, maintenance work and announcements that there are issues with the interconnected system.
In fact, a statement was sent out last Tuesday, in which it was related that GPL had restored electricity supply to the counties of Demerara and Berbice following a temporary fault in its Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System.
