New Port Kaituma generator inadequate for peak hours supply

The new generator being used by the Port Kaituma Power Company

Director of the Port Kaituma Power Company Richard Allen says a new generator that became operational last month is too small to supply the entire community with electricity during peak hours while the larger ones remain dysfunctional.

Allen told Stabroek News that previously the power company operated on two generators—a 625KVA with an output capacity of 500 kilowatt hour (Kwh) and a 438KVA with and an output of 354 Kwh.

He added that the new generator supplied to the power company is 437 KVA and has an output capacity of 350 Kwh. He argued that the new generator does not have the capacity to supply the Port Kaituma community during peak hours and further stated that residents of Port Kaituma receive electricity from 6pm to 4am and 9am to 2pm daily. He said the new generator can be operated at a maximum output of 320 Kwh before is automatically shuts off in approximately an hour.

However, Horace Williams, Head of the Hinterland Electrification Unit attached to the Office of the Prime Minister, defined the peak hours of electricity consumption to be between the time periods mentioned by Allen. Williams admitted that the new generator cannot supply the community with electricity during peak hours and stated that