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Reckless practices by contractors continuing to threaten safety, stability of grid – GPL
(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) on Friday, said that reckless practices by contractors continue to threaten the safety and stability of the national grid.
In a statement, the power company said that around 08:15h it was observed that there was a dangerously negligent act by RZND Concrete and Delivery Company, which had its concrete pump extended and positioned perilously over the company’s 69,000-volt transmission line along the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara.
The concrete pump extended over the power lines on Friday.
“This critical 69 kV line is a vital link between GPL’s Sophia and Good Hope Substations, transmitting electricity to Regions Four and Five. Such reckless behaviour posed an imminent and catastrophic risk to the integrity of GPL’s network. A single miscalculation could have triggered a major system failure, plunging tens of thousands of customers into widespread outages across the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System,” GPL said.
The company explained that the potential consequences are beyond service disruption and the level of negligence could have resulted in fatalities, serious injuries, the endangerment of workers and residents as well as damage to surrounding areas. In addition, the company said these actions also carry severe financial implications for all stakeholders involved.
In relation to this particular incident the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was notified and representatives of RZND Concrete and Delivery Company were detained. Further, the Labour Ministry was also notified and informed of what GPL deems to be blatant disregard for safety protocols that placed lives at risk.
GPL urged that vigilance should be exercised and adhered to in order to ensure established safety standards and industry best practices.
“One simple step can prevent disaster: contact GPL at 226-2600 before commencing any work near electrical infrastructure. Failure to comply places lives, property, and the stability of the national electricity network in jeopardy. Let it be unequivocally clear: GPL will not tolerate such reckless and dangerous practices. Any party found liable will face prosecution to the fullest extent of the law,” the company said.
In November 2025, Kaieteur News reported that a contractor attempting to move a mobile police outpost caused significant damage to one of the major transmission lines linking GPL Kingston and Sophia Substations.
At that time, GPL said, “irresponsible activities have resulted in an explosion and widespread outage inconveniencing thousands of customers.”
GPL reminded all individuals and contractors that work or movement of equipment near the company’s network infrastructure without prior authorization from the company is unsafe and poses a serious threat to public safety and electricity supply.
The power company said too that it is taking the matter seriously and will pursue all applicable legal actions against those responsible for the incident.
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