–apologises for the inconvenience

THE GUYANA Power and Light Company (GPL) Inc has disclosed that one of its two transmission lines between Sophia and Garden of Eden tripped on Thursday night at around 22:32 hrs, resulting in a shutdown of the Demerara Interconnected System (DIS).

A GPL statement noted that, due to the time the incident occurred, it was not possible to undertake a detailed inspection of the transmission line to determine the reason for the trip.

An inspection is currently in progress, focusing on the section of the line traversing the backlands of Garden of Eden and Friendship, where the line protection department calculated the fault may exist.

“The DIS was incrementally restored, with all circuits repowered by 00:28 hrs. Unfortunately, power supply to consumers on the East Coast between Industry and Success was further affected by a burnt connection on a switch at Industry. The burnt connection was found at 01:15 hrs, repairs were completed, and power was restored at 01:51hrs” GPL stated.

Investigations are ongoing into what may have precipitated the damage to the circuit. GPL will undertake an upgrade to a section of the circuit this Sunday to reduce the impact any future fault may have.
GPL also noted that on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, an unknown incident resulted in damages to four parts of a circuit supplying sections of Kingston, Cummingsburg and Werk-en-Rust. Repairs were completed by 19:28 hrs, and power was restored to all consumers.

In undertaking the repairs, the supply to consumers in other sections of Kingston, Cummingsburg and Werk-en-Rust unfortunately had to be interrupted.

“We are pleased to announce that the supply for most of our consumers in South Georgetown has been switched to our new substation in North Ruimveldt. Further, we are currently preparing to commission our new substation at Columbia (Mahaicony), and the power supply for all consumers between Burma Road and Victoria will be switched to this substation.

“GPL extends sincerest apologies for the occurrences over the last two days, and thanks customers for their patience. As our company progresses with its development agenda for 2014, it should be noted that power interruptions may occur as supply sources for feeders are switched” GPL has disclosed.