A major power failure that left customers on the Demerara Interconnected System (DIS) in darkness for nearly two hours on Thursday evening.
The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) yesterday said the cause of the power failure lay in the malfunctioning of one of two transmission lines between Sophia and Garden of Eden, resulting in a shutdown of the DIS around 10:32pm Thursday night.
In a press release, the company announced that a detailed inspection was stalled due to the time of the incident.
However, the company is now investigating the failure, with its focus on the section of the line traversing the backlands of Garden of Eden and Friendship. The area, the release added, is suspected to be where the fault may exist. The DIS was progressively restored with all circuits fully functioning by 12:28am on Friday. Power supply to consumers between Industry and Success on the East Coast was further affected by a burnt connection on a switch at Industry. However, current in the areas was subsequently restored at 1:51am.
Additionally, GPL is investigating damages to four parts on Wednesday of a circuit supplying sections of Kingston, Cummings-burg, and Werk-en-Rust. Though repairs were completed and power restored to all consumers, residents in the areas were forced to suffer the consequences of the blackout while the repairs were undertaken. Investigations are ongoing into what may have caused the damage to the circuit, GPL said, while an upgrade to a section of the circuit to reduce the impact of any future faults. According to the company, this proposed upgrade is scheduled to take place this Sunday.
Along with the upgrade, the company is currently preparing to commission a new substation at Columbia, Mahaicony. This new substation will supply power for all consumers between Burma Road and Victoria. Another substation in North Ruimvedlt recently began powering electricity for most of the consumers in South Georgetown.
The company noted that power interruptions may continue to occur as supply source for its feeders are switched as part of its development agenda for 2014.
GPL extended its sincerest apologies for its recent shortcomings and thanked its customers for their patience.
