Power system hit by shutdowns

 

The Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System was hit by a series of power failures last night which left householders fuming and wondering about the extent of the problem.

The interruptions were also characterised by significant fluctuations in voltage.

Up to press time this morning there had been no official statement from the Guyana Power and Light on the cause of the interruptions.

GPL issued the following press release at 11.30 am today

At 16:37 hrs, 17:46 hrs and 20:25 hrs yesterday August 20, 2015, the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) experienced shutdowns resulting from an unknown fault(s) emanating from the West Bank Demerara distribution system.

Consequently, the Company took the decision during the last shutdown to isolate the West Bank areas from La Retraite to La Grange in an effort to safeguard the Demerara and Berbice grids. Customers residing in and between this block have been without electricity since late afternoon yesterday.

Our teams are still engaged in a thorough investigation of distribution lines and line hardware from La Retraite to La Grange in an effort to find the primary fault (s) which contributed to yesterday’s system disturbance. Upon completion of this investigation, a subsequent release will be issued.

The Company empathizes with those customers who are still without electricity and regrets any inconvenience caused.