A fire at the Kingston-based Power Producers and Distributors Inc. (PPDI) has significantly damaged a 5.5 megawatt (MW) generator, but Public Works Minister Deodat Indar assured the public on Thursday that there is no risk of power shortages or blackouts.
The fire, which occurred at approximately 1 a.m. on Sunday, was caused by a fuel leak that led to external damage to the Number 1 generator at the facility. “The engine sustained peripheral damage, but there were no internal issues based on the initial assessment,” Minister Indar confirmed to Demerara Waves Online News. He added that the fire was quickly contained by PPDI staff before firefighters arrived on the scene.
The fire primarily damaged electrical wiring and aluminium casings, prompting engineers from both PPDI and Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to assess the availability of spare parts needed for repairs.
Despite the damage, Indar emphasized that consumers in the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) should not be concerned about power outages. “We are not experiencing any shortage at the moment,” he reassured.
With current peak demand in the DBIS at 187 MW and an operating capacity of 194 MW, the system remains stable. Indar added that additional power generation capacity is expected in the coming weeks, with two engines set to resume operations. A 7.5 MW generator is expected to come back online on December 10, while a 5.5 MW generator will be operational by December 21.
Indar also confirmed that the Number 3 generator, which resumed service on Wednesday, is currently supplying 5.5 MW. The Number 2 generator, undergoing a 60,000-hour overhaul, is expected to return to service later this month, along with a crankshaft for a 30-year-old generator.
In addition to these repairs, Indar reported that work is progressing on a 3.9-kilometre cable installation to accommodate the 60 MW of electricity from a second power ship, scheduled to arrive in Guyana on December 8, 2024. This power will be fed into a new substation in Georgetown to further strengthen the country’s energy infrastructure.
Indar’s remarks aim to reassure consumers that the fire at the Kingston power station will not lead to power disruptions, with the necessary measures in place to maintain a stable electricity supply.
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