– GPL seeks compensation for damages to infrastructure
THOUSANDS of customers across sections of Demerara and Berbice were left without electricity on Monday after an excavator reportedly damaged critical transmission infrastructure operated by the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL).
According to GPL, the disruption occurred at approximately 10:17 hours when the L1 Transmission Line connecting the Garden of Eden and Grove substations experienced a system disturbance, causing both substations to go offline.
The company said the outage created an estimated 37-megawatt deficit on the national grid, resulting in widespread power interruptions across several communities in Demerara and Berbice.
Following an inspection of the transmission line, GPL’s technical teams determined that an excavator operating at Grove, East Bank Demerara, had come into contact with the transmission line, damaging key infrastructure and triggering the disruption.
GPL identified the excavator as belonging to S. Joseph Transportation & Machinery Rentals and said it was being operated by Garfield Hinds at the time of the incident.
The utility company said restoration efforts began immediately after the disturbance, with power being restored incrementally as crews worked to stabilise the system. Full service was restored to all affected customers by approximately 11:37 hours.
GPL has since launched a formal investigation into the incident and indicated that the contractor responsible would be pursued for compensation to cover the cost of repairs and damage to the transmission infrastructure.
In a statement, the company reminded contractors and members of the public that excavation, construction and heavy-duty operations near transmission and distribution infrastructure must be coordinated with GPL to avoid accidents and disruptions to the electricity network.
The utility warned that unauthorised activities near power infrastructure can result in significant service interruptions, damage to critical assets and serious safety risks.
Guyana has experienced increased pressure on its electricity infrastructure in recent years amid rapid economic growth, expanding housing developments and large-scale construction activity.
GPL has repeatedly cautioned contractors and equipment operators to exercise greater care when working near transmission lines and utility assets.
The company apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused and thanked the public for its patience during the restoration process.
