GPL said yesterday that it has been faced with a dramatic increase in power demand on the West Coast and it will have to implement statutory load shedding during the peak period since it is experiencing a network capacity problem which is affecting consumers from Versailles to Lookout.
The company noted, however, that it does not have a generation capacity problem at Versailles.
And among the initiatives GPL will immediately implement is the removal of illegal street lamps as these worsen the problem during the peak period and its crews will shortly be deployed to commence this exercise, the GPL said in a news release.
The ultimate solution to the problem, the release stated, is to extend the 69KV transmission system to deliver bulk power to both Versailles and Edinburgh. This would allow the West Coast to be served by three feeders rather than one as occurs currently.
This solution is part of the transmission plan that would be implemented with the Chinese financing in 2010. Meanwhile, further progress has been made in implementing this project with construction scheduled to start in the second half of 2010, the release added.
The power company noted that on September 12 this year it had alluded to a situation where the power demand on the West Coast was approaching the allowable capacity on the feeder. The feeder is now running at its limit due to an 18% increase in demand over the past few weeks.
GPL said further that “despite our appeal to consumers to conserve electricity, particularly during the evening peak which is during 18:00 to 21:00 hours, the situation has worsened dramatically.”
The company again recommended that consumers heed its conservation call and assist in the reduction of peak demand.
