GPL warns of six-hour blackout on Sunday

The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is advising 60Hz customers in sections of Georgetown, lower East Coast and parts of East bank of Demerara that their power supply will be interrupted on Sunday.

The interruption is to last approximately 6 hours from 8:30am, the company said in a statement issued yesterday.

It advised that consumers in the following areas will be affected:  Sophia to Coldingen on the East Coast Demerara; Meadowbrook, North Ruimveldt, South Ruimveldt Park and Gardens; Industrial Estate Ruimveldt; and Alexander Village to Republic Park.

According to the company, the power interruption is necessary to facilitate work under the Infrastructure Development Project, including modifications to the Sophia 69Kv substation, to shift power cables for feeders serving the lower East Coast, sections of Georgetown and East Bank Demerara and to allow stringing of conductors for a new transmission line to south Georgetown.

GPL explained that the Sophia 69Kv substation will be integrated with a new substation under construction so a safe working corridor has to be established.  Excavations for new foundations have encountered power cables which have to be shifted.  Feeders serving south Georgetown and parts of East Bank Demerara have to be crossed at three points by the new transmission line.

GPL said that this is the second major outage to facilitate construction of five new substations in East Demerara and appeals for cooperation and patience as it seeks to improve service.  It reassured that while the total outage is scheduled for 6 hours, power may be restored earlier to some areas as various phases of the work are completed.