Outlining its work programme…
GUYANA Power & Light (GPL) yesterday reported that a detailed evaluation of the Easter time electricity outages, between April 2 and April 6, led to the conclusion that they resulted, largely, from kite flying activities. The utility also said there were more incidents involving its primary distribution system this year than any time before, despite its appeals.
A press release said there were 17 incidents that caused 46 minutes of blackouts which affected various sections of the system.
However, none of them can be attributed to shortage in generating capacity, the release said.
It went on: “The fact that 10 of the 17 were caused by transient ground faults and network incidents, resulting in low system frequency, suggests that kite flying activities played a major role in the distribution experienced.”
GPL said, on the other hand, the Berbice Interconnected System recorded four shutdowns over the same April 2 to April 6 period, causing power cuts amounting to a total of one hour 16 minutes and affecting consumers between Onverwagt to Bygeval, Ithaca, Republic Road and Strand, Main Road also in New Amsterdam to Kortberaad and Number 53 to Moleson Creek.
Apart from those shutdowns, there were 15 incidents leading to outages of varying durations that affected consumers in various other sections of the network.
The release said three of those were the result of load shedding due to insufficient capacity that resulted from checks being run on the transmission line to Skeldon.
But, as with the Demerara system, no faults were discovered on the conduits, the statement said.
It added that, on Monday, April 12, there were two 50 hertz shutdowns in Georgetown, initiated by a fault on one of GPL’s 69 kv transformers at Sophia. The problem was identified in the controls for the cooling system in the transformer and was corrected.
Maintenance
The statement also explained that out line maintenance in the city and West Demerara continues, necessitating more power outages.
“We are soliciting consumers’ patience as these activities are intended to prepare the network for the upcoming rainy season. With the advent of the rainy season, GPL would like to encourage consumers to report any fault, as we are not always aware of some of the incidents that may cause consumers to be without power,” the statement appealed.
Further, it said persons traversing areas where illegal connections exist and are routed over need to be extra careful.
GPL said it will continue its exercise to remove illegal lines, as it is currently removing hundreds of feet in Kuru Kururu, along Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
GPL gave the assurance that every effort would be made to maintain a normal supply of electricity with an adequate generation reserve.
It said, in Berbice, it is working, assiduously, to complete the 5 megawatts Number Three Mirrless Unit at Canefield and the 2.5 megawatts Number Five EMD at Onverwagt while, in Demerara, Wartsila, it is at work to complete the major overhaul on a 5.5 megawatts Niigata Unit at Garden of Eden.
The statement said, to the extent that power outages can be planned. GPL will notify consumers.
Meantime, it regrets any inconvenience and wishes to thank its valued customers for their patience and understanding.