THE Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), in a press statement, yesterday, said that the Demerara/Berbice Interconnected System experienced a total shutdown yesterday morning.This occurred at approximately 06:40hrs when the differential relay protecting one of two 35 MVA transformers at the Kingston Substation was activated.

As a result, 11 of 16.5 MW being contributed to the grid by the Kingston One Generation Station became immediately unavailable. The sudden loss in capacity resulted in a drop in frequency, the tripping of other units at both Kingston Plants and a total system shutdown, GPL said.

The power company added that a malfunctioning component in the transformer protective circuit has been temporarily disconnected and the unit returned to service. The repaired component was expected to be reactivated yesterday afternoon but this exercise will not affect the power supply.

GPL stated that restoration of power started at 07:07 hrs. Complete restoration, however, was adversely affected by mechanical problems experienced with the Nos. 2 and 4 units at the Kingston No. 2 Plant, and some areas in South Georgetown and along the East Coast Demerara were not repowered until 10:47 hrs when the No. 4 was returned to service. Repairs to the No. 2 Unit were scheduled to be completed by 15:00 hrs yesterday.

Meanwhile, GPL offered sincerest apologies for the inconvenience caused.

(Michel Outridge)