THE Guyana Power and Light Inc. on Monday issued a statement saying that the blackouts plaguing the Essequibo Coast are “due to unforeseen mechanical and electrical issues with three of our generation units.”

“We are challenged to provide the required peak demand of 4.2 Megawatts,” the notification informed.

“Currently, two units with an aggregate capacity of 1.5 MW are in operation at the Anna Regina power station. These units cannot satisfy the demand of the entire Coast and as such load shedding is in effect until additional generation becomes available.”
Since April of this year residents of Region Two have been, once again, experiencing severe blackouts, and called on GPL to rectify the problem.

After experiencing even more consistent power outages over the past week, the residents took to the streets last Friday, and protested outside of the company’s Anna Regina power plant, and Anna Regina office.

Finally speaking on the issue, and pleading for even more patience from the frustrated residents, the power company admitted that it is finding it difficult to supply the current demand but hopes to see some progress by weekend.

“Our company, with technical assistance from the equipment supplier, is working assiduously to mobilise additional generation by weekend to alleviate the prolonged service interruptions. We remain cognisant of the inconvenience caused and seek the patience of our customers as we work to restore reliable power supply to the Coast,” GPL said.

However this comes after Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, last Friday in an interview with the Department of Public Information, noted that “two sets with a total capacity of 3.1 MW” were installed last week, and “normalcy” was expected to return to the area since Friday evening, after “another two units [were made] available resulting in a total capacity of 5.8 MW.”