The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is moving to recover more than $8 million in losses after a contractor’s heavy-duty equipment damaged a key transmission line on the East Bank of Demerara, triggering widespread power outages on Monday.
In a release on Tuesday, GPL said that it confirmed that the service interruption at approximately 10:17 hrs on Monday was caused by heavy-duty machinery operated by S. Joseph Transportation & Machinery Rental during works at Grove New Housing Scheme (Backlands), East Bank Demerara.
“GPL’s investigations confirmed that the equipment came into direct contact with the L1 Transmission Line linking the Garden of Eden and Grove Substations, resulting in a significant disruption of electricity supply to tens of thousands of customers across multiple communities. The damage caused considerable inconvenience to GPL’s valued customers, disrupting households, businesses, and essential services,” GPL said.
The company further said that it issued “a strongly worded letter” to S. Joseph Transportation & Machinery Rental seeking to recover a total of $8,059,361 for operational losses incurred as a result of the incident.
The company has been given fourteen (14) days to settle the full amount, failing which GPL will pursue legal action.
“GPL is reminding all contractors and equipment operators that strict adherence to all safety protocols when working near electrical lines is mandatory. Any breach will attract decisive action, including financial recovery and legal proceedings,” the company said.
