The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has raised concerns regarding the potential hazards posed by heavy machinery interacting with the company’s electrical network.
This issue recently came to light following disruptions to the power supply affecting citizens in Demerara and Berbice due to incidents involving the transmission line along Dumpsite Road, Eccles, East Bank Demerara where there is ongoing work to upgrade the road network.
During a site visit on Wednesday, Nigel Chetram, one of GPL’s Network Operations Managers, highlighted the critical nature of operating in a safe distance from the transmission lines.
He warned too that contact between heavy machinery and the transmission line could not only disrupt power supply but also pose serious risks to operators and nearby individuals.
“You want to make sure they are operating in a safe way, and ensure the integrity of our line is maintained so that we do not cause undue outages on the network,” he emphasised.
The L2 line, which runs from the Golden Grove Substation to Sophia, is crucial for transferring bulk electricity.
Chetram explained that any impact could lead to an instantaneous power shutdown.
“And because of that you find the other stations are not able to compensate or to hold the system together because of the amount of power that has been reduced so quickly,” he said.
To address these risks, GPL has established a dedicated transmission line unit that regularly monitors high-risk areas, ensuring contractors adhere to safety protocols.
“When people see GPL is here, they tend to take a little more precaution when they are working,” Chetram noted, although he added that the unit is facing its own human resource constraints.
In partnership with the Ministry of Labour, GPL conducts safety sessions aimed at educating contractors about the importance of notifying the company before undertaking work near its network lines.
During a recent exercise at the Coldingen Bridge on the East Coast Demerara, GPL staff were on-site to oversee safe operations during repair works following the bridge’s collapse.
“We had teams there guiding the men who were working to ensure they work safely and our network is not compromised nor any contractor safety is compromised,” Chetram said.
In a recent notice, GPL reiterated its call for operators to maintain a minimum distance of 20 feet from its network and to ensure that activities are supervised by GPL personnel.
As the country undergoes rapid development, including extensive infrastructure projects and an influx of foreign investment, GPL faces mounting challenges to meet the growing power demand.
In response, the utility company is working to upgrade its transmission and distribution lines, as well as its generation capacity, to keep up with the increasing electricity requirements.
As the situation evolves, GPL urges all stakeholders to prioritise safety and communittion to prevent disruptions and ensure the integrity of the power supply throughout the nation.
