Lightning strike suspected cause of GT power outages – GPL

Jul 27, 2016 News

It seems that residents around Georgetown who were plunged into darkness on Monday, were the victims of forces of nature. According to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), lightning strikes are suspected to be responsible for lengthy power outages.
According to GPL, at approximately 20:56 hours Monday evening a line trip along two Kingston feeders (F3 and F4) resulted in an interruption in the supply of electricity to customers in Kingston, Cummingsburg, Alberttown, Lacytown and Werk-en-Rust.
“A thorough investigation of the feeders revealed five burnt switches that are suspected to have occurred as a result of a lightning strike,” the entity revealed. “Notwithstanding this, the feeders were isolated and restoration efforts commenced last (Monday) evening at approximately 22:16 hours in Kingston with the last area being repowered at 22:57 hours.”
“Remedial works began around noon today (yesterday) and were successfully completed by 13:00hrs, during which time an interruption in the supply of electricity to sections of Lacytown and Werk-en-Rust was unavoidable. GPL sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused.”
While GPL’s statement addressed power outages on Monday, there have been complaints of frequent power outages in places such as Republic Park and along the East Coast of Demerara. Some of these instances have gone without any comments from the power company.
In 2010 GPL had embarked on a project to replace its aging transmission lines. Seven sub-stations were also built. The project was conducted by China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC). While the project was touted to improve quality of service among other things, it was plagued with delays. In addition, it went over budget by more than US$9M ($1.8B).
Questions have been raised about the extent to which these problems are today affecting electricity supply in key areas.