Following generator problems, Bartica residents should have seen a full restoration of electricity once again by nightfall yesterday, according to a telephone update from Kesh Nandlall, a senior official at Guyana Power and Light (GPL).
Nandlall confirmed to Stabroek News that both a GPL team and the private contractor, MACORP are working diligently to resolve the ongoing power issues in the region.
The primary source of the power outage has been attributed to problems with several generators. Specifically, a Cummins generator, which the GPL team is working to repair, is expected to be operational by tomorrow. Mean-while, a Caterpillar generator producing 1.5 MW of electricity, currently being worked on by the MACORP team, should be back online by this evening. The outage has been linked to coupling issues with three Cummins generators and one Caterpillar unit. Another Cummins generator is anticipated to be available tomorrow, though no timeline has been provided for the repair of the remaining unit.
GPL released a statement yesterday afternoon stating that in response to the current power demands in the township, efforts were underway to bring a second unit online by last evening. This additional unit is expected to address peak demand and stabilize the situation. Meanwhile, other units will be reactivated incrementally, ensuring a steady supply of reserve generation.
Last month, Bartica also faced similar power challenges, with residents experiencing outages and expressing their dissatisfaction through street pro-tests. The Guyana Women Miners Organization (GWMO) highlighted the severe impact on local businesses and daily life, noting that many perishable goods have been lost, resulting in significant financial losses.
GPL had acknowledged ongoing issues with the No. 9 Caterpillar generator, which has not been able to deliver its full capacity due to tripping issues in July. Despite replacing a switch, further investigation is required but cannot proceed until the No. 8 generator is operational. MACORP’s involvement is crucial to resolving defects with the No. 8 unit, allowing GPL to address issues with the No. 9 generator subsequently.
As a result of these technical challenges, GPL had been forced to implement load-shedding measures to manage the power supply, both day and night. A comprehensive load-shedding schedule will be issued today to minimize inconvenience for residents.
The GWMO has criticized both local and regional authorities for their handling of the power crisis. It said that previous outages, such as one lasting 72 hours, have had severe repercussions on residents without any compensation from authorities.
This Bartica plant was commissioned in December 2019 and it is unclear why these units have experienced these problems. In a statement on Monday, GPL said that the Bartica Power Plant has four engines: two are required to meet the demand, while two serve as a standby unit.
“Unfortunately, we have only one operational engine in conjunction with the solar farm”, it said.
