GPL short of 23 MWs, blackouts coming
With a deficit of 23 megawatts (MWs) of power, GPL is alerting the public to another round of blackouts, the latest in a string of problems to hit the electricity company despite its many promises of lasting improvements.
In a statement yesterday, GPL, says that it “remains committed to supplying reliable electricity supply to our valued customers” but added that due to unforeseen occurrences and generation/operational issues, it was challenged to meet the peak demand.
It said that on Tuesday, September 3, while a contractor was carrying out work on the Sheriff/Mandela Road Expansion project, one of GPL’s poles with two transformers was up-rooted near the Rubis Gas Station on Mandela Avenue. This resulted in power cuts to a number of communities in South Georgetown, Queenstown and Lacytown.
GPL added that it is currently experiencing a shortfall in generation in the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) as follows:
Berbice
Due to a defective transformer at the Onverwagt, Berbice Substation, it said that it is unable to export 6.9 MW of power to the Demerara-Berbice Inter-connected System. Further, a 5.5 MW generator at the Canefield Power Plant is unavailable because of scheduled maintenance.
Demerara
At the Kingston Power Plant, a 6.9 MW unit is unavailable because of a defective alternator, which had to be sourced overseas. The alternator has arrived, and repairs are expected to be completed by the end of the week. Thereafter the unit will return to operation by Monday, September 9, 2019, GPL said.
At the Garden-of-Eden power station, a 4MW set is unavailable as it is awaiting the arrival of replacement parts for the defective components.
“Our company is aggressively injecting efforts to ensure all units are returned to operation in the shortest possible time”, GPL said, however adding that with a deficit of approximately 23 MW, customers in Demerara and Berbice will experience periods of “service disruptions”. It added that public advisories will be disseminated to inform customers.