The Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) yesterday announced that its 69kV submarine cable is back in operation following the successful completion of remedial work.
With the cable back in operation, GPL said approximately 14 Megawatts (MW) of power is being supplied to the Eastern Section of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS).
The armour and insulation protection of the cable, which links the Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston Power Plants, was damaged at two locations in June and August by vessels traversing the Demerara River.
Repairs were done by China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CMC), the company that laid the cable in 2012. GPL previously said repairs to the cable were delayed due to the discovery of the additional damage in August, which required more diagnosis and testing. Repair kits were subsequently manufactured and shipped to Guyana. Following the arrival of the kits, the contractor, CMC immediately commenced work to retrieve and repair the compromised sections of the cable, approximately 0.7 and 0.8 km offshore the Kingston Power Plant.
As part of GPL’s contingency response, a smaller 13.8 kV submarine cable was laid across the Demerara River in June to transfer 5.5 Megawatt of power from the Vreed-en-Hoop Power Plant.
GPL yesterday said it has requested the assistance of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) to advise mariners to exercise caution when operating in close proximity of the cable.
Additionally, GPL has said that as a preventative measure, the cable will be reburied in the Demerara River to a depth of approximately 15 feet.
