E’bo Coast rocked by outages as GPL rushes in generators

Aug 19, 2018 News

The Anna Regina power station

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is hoping to stabilize the electricity situation, which has rocked the Essequibo Coast. GPL says it is rushing down two generators to the area with “normalcy” expected as early as tomorrow.
According to the power company, there were frequent service interruptions being experienced on the Essequibo Coast. The problems caused the power station in Anna Regina not to meet the approximately 4.2 Megawatts (MWs) peak demand.
“The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) wishes to outline the events that led to the frequent service interruptions currently being experienced on the Essequibo Coast, and to inform customers of our efforts to meet the approximately 4.2 Megawatts (MWs) peak demand.”
The company explained that on Monday last, and Thursday, two of the GPL’s units, the No. 3 and No. 8 with an aggregate capacity of 2.8 MWs, became inoperable due to major mechanical and electrical issues respectively.
“Since the No 5 Unit with a capacity of 1.4 MWs was unavailable due to a major overhaul, only two units totaling 3 MWs are currently in operation. As this cannot satisfy the demand of the entire Coast, load shedding was implemented.” As a result, the company said that it was forced to introduce a five-day load-shedding schedule which was issued to residents until the expected return to normalcy tomorrow.
GPL said it is arranging the transfer of two Caterpillar units of 2.8 MWs total capacity from its Canefield, Berbice Generating Station to Essequibo.
“The generators will arrive during Sunday, August 19 and Tuesday, August 21. When installation is completed, the units will provide adequate generation capacity to meet peak demand.”
The power company said it will continue to pursue a permanent solution to the power shortages on the Coast with steady progress being made to meet its goal of having the new power station commissioned and operational during the last quarter of this year.

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