GPL said both converters at its Sophia power plant and a feeder at its Kingston station failed causing the recent blackouts, however; the company is embarking on an expansion project which is expected to boost power supply.
In a press release Senior Divisional Director of Operations Colin Singh told a panel discussion held at the National Communica-tions Network that the aged frequency converters couldn’t convert the 50 hertz power to 60 hertz, causing the power failure. He said the converters were manufactured in 1976, and installed in 1977.
The 60 hertz system extends to the Garden of Eden power station through two high voltage transmission lines. The system is extensive; it comprises circuits that are fed from Garden of Eden to Timehri and the East Bank and a feeder which goes across to the West Bank via a submarine cable linking the Versailles Power Station to a temporary facility located at Leonora where there are four mobile caterpillar sets. Residents beyond the Parika area were also affected by Monday’s power outage.
Singh said GPL has also embarked on a Chinese funded expansion project which entails building seven new high voltage substations and about 120 km of high voltage transmission lines linking the sub stations and the existing stations. The project will be executed over a 28-month period. “The Chinese survey teams are already on the ground and (have) almost completed their surveys of lines and substations areas.
The next stage is for them to produce detailed technical designs package including drawings and other plans for approval,” he explained.
According to Singh priority would be given to the West Demerara where two high voltage substations will be established; one at Leonora and the other at Vreed-en-Hoop, linked by a high voltage transmission line.
This will boost voltage and quality of supply resulting in less power outages. Extending the grid will also create linkages among the major generating stations.
