96% Power Outages Caused by Accidents
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, revealed at the Prime Minister’s year-end press conference that 96 per cent of the power outages in 2024 were due to accidents, which have repeatedly interfered with the power supply across Guyana.
These incidents, ranging from vehicles crashing into power poles to contractors inadvertently damaging key infrastructure, have been a major challenge for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) company.Despite these challenges, Minister Indar noted that GPL had an overall successful year, with ample power generation and even excess capacity compared to the peak demand.
However, he shared his concerns about the frequent disruptions caused by various accidents. He explained that reports of cars driving into power poles, trucks damaging power lines, or cranes getting too close to high-voltage transmission lines were common occurrences.
One of the most recent examples, he pointed out, occurred just days after Christmas when a tree being cut down fell onto a main wire, resulting in a massive blackout that affected the entire Eccles community.
These accidents, which are typically avoidable, have a significant impact on the country’s power supply, creating frustration for both consumers and utility workers.
The Minister elaborated that when transmission lines are struck, and the wires collide, it triggers the power relays. These relays are protective mechanisms designed to shut down the entire system in case of such interference, but the resulting shutdowns often cause widespread outages.
To address these issues, Minister Indar emphasized that GPL has been instructed to take a more aggressive approach in holding those responsible accountable. Individuals causing disruptions to the power supply, he said, will be charged, and their identities will be publicized on social media and in the media.
Some of these cases, he added, are already in court.While the police have been patrolling roadways to prevent such accidents, the Minister expressed frustration that despite these efforts, the problems persist.
He stressed the importance of not only improving the enforcement of safety regulations but also raising public awareness about the risks of damaging vital power infrastructure.During the press conference, Minister Indar also highlighted that, despite these setbacks, the total generation capacity of the power sector had increased significantly in recent years.
However, he urged that more efforts be made to ensure the safety and integrity of the power grid, as these frequent accidents continue to disrupt the energy supply and hinder progress.
The Minister’s remarks underscore the need for both individuals and businesses to take greater care when interacting with power lines and other vital infrastructure to prevent further damage and ensure a more reliable power supply for the nation.
