(Trinidad Express) The Ministry of Energy has said in a media release that the nation-wide power outage was as a result of a malfunction of the emergency shutdown system at the Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited plant at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate.
Following is the Energy Ministry’s statement on the power blackout:
“At 12:25 am on March 29 2013, the Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited (PPGPL) plant at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate tripped as a result of a malfunction of their emergency shutdown system. This impacted the delivery of natural gas to the national gas grid. This also impacted the delivery of natural gas to the PowerGen Point Lisas power station which consequently resulted in blackouts across the country.
“Thereafter, systems and contingencies were put in place by Government to restore power in the shortest possible time as well as to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
“On advice that the restarting of the PowerGen Penal facility was critical for restoring power throughout the country, the Prime Minister and Minister of Energy visited same in order to oversee the operations.
“The Prime Minister and Minister of Energy were assured by the management and staff that every effort was being taken to restore operations at the facility. The Prime Minister and Minister of Energy were kept updated by all relevant agencies including the NGC, PowerGen, TGU and TTEC throughout the night as to the status of efforts to restore the nation’s electricity supply.
“By the early hours of March 29 power had already been restored in some areas and work was apace to ensure same throughout the nation.
“The Prime Minister has requested that the Minister of Energy present a report on this incident with a focus on recommendations to ensure the future energy/ electricity security of the country. The Prime Minister thanks all those dedicated officers and citizens who ensured the safety and security of the nation as well as those directly involved in returning the nation’s supply of electricity.”
