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GPL demands $8M from contractor for damages to transmission line
(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is seeking $8,059,361 in damages from a contractor, after one of its excavator operators damaged a transmission line on Monday which resulted in power outage in sections of the country.
GPL in a statement on Tuesday said, the service interruption occurred at approximately 10:17hrs on May 18, 2026 and was caused by heavy-duty machinery operated by S. Joseph Transportation & Machinery Rental during works at Grove New Housing Scheme (Backlands), East Bank Demerara.
The excavator that caused the damage to the infrastructure on Monday.
According to GPL, investigations confirmed that the equipment came into direct contact with the L1 Transmission Line linking the Garden of Eden and Grove Substations, resulting in a significant disruption of electricity supply to tens of thousands of customers across multiple communities.
“The damage caused considerable inconvenience to GPL’s valued customers, disrupting households, businesses, and essential services. GPL has issued a strongly worded letter to S. Joseph Transportation & Machinery Rental and is seeking to recover a total of $8,059,361 for operational losses incurred as a result of the incident,” the agency said in its statement.
The company has been given 14 days to settle the full amount failing which GPL informed that it will sue.
“GPL is reminding all contractors and equipment operators that strict adherence to all safety protocols when working near electrical lines is mandatory. Any breach will attract decisive action, including financial recovery and legal proceedings,” the agency expressed in its statement.
Just over two weeks ago, Kaieteur News reported that GPL was seeking to recover more than $30.6M in damages following a weekend power outage that was triggered by construction activity.
In a statement, GPL fingered the 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.
The incident occurred at approximately 08:50hrs 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.
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