GPL Berbice branch manager Ayube Bacchus told Stabroek News that the outages were caused by technical problems experienced by one of the 69 KVA transformers at the Canefield Power Station. This affected the network distribution as the transformer formed part of the Skeldon and Onverwagt power distribution network and as a result, the entire county was affected, he said.
Several Berbicians had told Stabroek News of the negative impact of the blackouts but had acknowledged that the frequency of the power outages has diminished in recent days.
Bacchus said that after the transformer experienced difficulties, experts were called in and they have advised the company on how to move forward after completing an evaluation. “Based on the evaluation and tests conducted, it was concluded we do not use that transformer since it would have caused permanent damages,” he disclosed.
Bacchus said that a new 16 MVA transformer is to be installed this week. Presently they are working on the new transformer to be installed at the Canefield power station, he said.
The branch manager also disclosed that while Berbice was expected to face a four week period of power outages, a new plan has been formulated so that consumers would not be disturbed while works are being carried out. Bacchus stated that they have “separated the Canefield power station from the 69KV network.”
The branch manager said they are working assiduously to have the problem fixed so that they can provide quality service to consumers. Bacchus said that there is the possibility that during the installation, there might be power outages and he is asking consumers to bear with them.
In addition, when the installation of the new transformer is finished, the network will be restored to its original design. The new transformer will also allow the power company to distribute the required amount of current to its consumers.
The manager also noted that they are making provision for more megawatts of electricity to be distributed during the Christmas period, jumping from 18 megawatts to 20 megawatts during this period.
