GPL demands $30.6M from Chinese contractor for Sunday blackout

Apr 30, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is seeking to recover more than $30.6 million in damages following a weekend power outage triggered by construction activity, warning that legal action will be taken if the sum is not paid within 14 days.

In a statement Wednesday, GPL said it has written to China Railway First Group (Guyana) Incorporated demanding $30,645,189 for losses incurred after heavy-duty machinery struck a key transmission line during road works at Dennis Street, Sophia on April 26.

GPL demands $30.6M from Chinese contractor for Sunday blackout

Heavy-duty machinery struck a key transmission line during road works last Sunday (Photo: GPL Facebook page)

The incident occurred at approximately 08:50 hours when the equipment came into direct contact with the L10 transmission line linking the New Georgetown and Sophia substations, the impact of which caused a major disruption in electricity supply and affected tens of thousands of customers across several communities in Georgetown and surrounding areas.

The company said it has issued a strongly worded letter to Ma Qiang, project manager of China Railway First Group (Guyana) Incorporated, warning that failure to settle the compensation claim within the stipulated timeframe will result in court proceedings. The incident has also triggered law enforcement action, with one individual already arrested as investigations continue.

GPL described the occurrence as a serious breach of safety and operational requirements, stressing that all works carried out near electrical infrastructure must be done in strict compliance with established protocols. These include maintaining safe clearance distances and ensuring proper coordination with the utility before undertaking any excavation or construction activities.

The company further warned that contact with high-voltage infrastructure poses immediate and severe risks to life, including the potential for serious injury or death, in addition to causing extensive damage to the power network and prolonged outages. GPL is now reminding contractors and heavy equipment operators that adherence to safety standards when working near transmission lines is mandatory, noting that any violations will attract firm action, including financial recovery and legal consequences.

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar had told Kaieteur News that the struck line carried 69,000 volts, and the resulting outage left most of Guyana without electricity for approximately four and a half hours. He noted that attempts to restore power around 11:30 hours were unsuccessful due to instability in the national grid, with fluctuating frequency triggering a second shutdown.

The minister further disclosed that the incident damaged a key switchgear at the Garden of Eden facility, preventing power from being reintroduced into the grid and prolonging outages, particularly along the East Bank corridor where some customers remained without electricity until about 16:15 hours. He also stated that the contractor did not have permission from GPL to operate near the transmission infrastructure at the time of the incident.

GPL has warned that contact with high-voltage infrastructure poses immediate risks to life and can result in widespread outages and damage to critical systems. The company said that contractors and heavy equipment operators must adhere to all safety standards, noting that violations will attract financial recovery efforts and legal consequences.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

blackout, Chinese contractor, GPL, Power outage

Latest News