The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) expects that rehabilitation work on the severed 69kV submarine cable link between the Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston substations will be completed by today, Bharat Harjohn, Director of Power Generation and Distribution at GPL, has said.
On Monday, Harjohn told Stabroek News that 80% of repairs had been completed.
According to Harjohn, the crew is on schedule to meet the deadline providing that there were no challenges. He explained that during the initial stages of the repairs, there were some difficulties in locating the ends of the cable and working during the tide.
He further said that they have been able to have the area surveyed and will be placing markings to inform vessels of the cable on the river bed.
A Netherlands-registered vessel, NLIST DLEP, is responsible for the damage to the cable, which has caused some disruption in the company’s supply of power.
Currently, the Chinese cable manufacturer is conducting repairs to the severed cable.
In a statement on the accident, GPL explained that cable was completely severed by a ship’s anchor.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the vessel dropped its anchor on the river bed and it hooked onto the cable, which it dragged for some time.
GPL’s submarine cable was restored on October 26, 2019, after it was damaged by ships in June and August that year. Owing to the frequent damage to the cable, the Ministry of Public Works had asked MARAD to institute an order to prevent vessels from anchoring in the vicinity.
In a notice posted on Facebook and advertised in the print media, MARAD notified the operators of maritime vessels of the cables that cross the Demerara River – the GPL Kingston to Vreed-en-Hoop submarine cable, and the Princes Street Outfall to Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling submarine cable. It further informed that operators were prohibited from anchoring in proximity to these cables and should keep a minimum of 200 meters away when anchored.
Additionally, GPL has said that it will be incorporated into the policing loop, utilising its round-the-clock security presence at Kingston, which overlooks the cable crossing. It was noted that relevant information will be shared with GPL’s security personnel via radio and telephone to facilitate this endeavour.
Further, tugs will be engaged and will intervene should a vessel require assistance.
