GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Friday blamed “technical issues” with three larger engines for the recent service interruptions.
In a statement, GPL said that on January 4, the 6.9 megawatt (MW) engine at the Kingston 2 Power Plant experienced “ a technical issue related to a crankshaft” and that on March 11, another plant experienced a technical issue related to the crankshaft and engine components.
It said that on March 15, a third plant “suffered a turbo charge failure,” resolved seven days later.
“These incidents resulted in a central loss of 12.4 MWs of generation from the Demerara Berbice interconnected system (DBIS). Technical support for the repair of the two engines at the Kingston Power Plants is ongoing and is anticipated to be operational in May 2024,” the GPL said.
It said generation from the new 28.9 MW facility at another plant is “incrementally” being added to DBIS and that “currently nine out of a total of 17 generators are injecting electricity into the grid.
“Five generators will be added in the week commencing April 7, 2024. The remaining three generators will be added to the grid in the week commencing April 14, 2024,” GPL, telling consumers that “this additional generation will alleviate the current shortfall.
“GPL recognizes the inconvenience of these unforeseen circumstances and unplanned service interruptions. The company works diligently to expedite the repairs and return the engines into operation”.