GPL recorded 103 power outages last year; Blames COVID-19 for slowdown in maintenance

Recognizing the challenges faced by the power company in 2021, the PUC said it endorses the views of the Guyana Consumer Association regarding GPL’s improvements in its quality of service and its continued efforts to upgrade its infrastructure.

GPL recorded 103 power outages last year; Blames COVID-19 for slowdown in maintenance

The Guyana Power and Light company recorded 103 power outages last year, exceeding its 90 targeted outages.

The company is however blaming the COVID-19 pandemic for the increase in power outages.

The information is contained in a report from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) which reviewed GPL’s Operating Standards and Performance Targets for the year 2021.

“In 2021, the company had exceeded the target of 90 power outages when compared to the 99 outages for the year 2020. The company proffered that the COVID-19 pandemic hampered its usual schedule of maintenance in 2020 and the increase in planned maintenance activities was the direct result of that increase to 103 outages for the year, 2021,” the PUC said in its Order.

Recognizing the challenges faced by the power company in 2021, the PUC said it endorses the views of the Guyana Consumer Association regarding GPL’s improvements in its quality of service and its continued efforts to upgrade its infrastructure.

The Utilities Commission noted GPL’s performance last year and the need for improvements, but has opted not to institute any penalty against the company.

“In arriving at its decision, the Commission is cognizant that the imposition of penalties is often a measure of last resort for egregious events and not to be applied lightly. Therefore, the Commission after careful review of the targets achieved and GPL’s projections for improved service has determined that no penalty is warranted for GPL’s 2021 performance,” PUC said.

The Public Utilities Commission said it will continue to monitor GPL’s performance to ensure the proper rollout and implementation of its projected measures which should benefit consumers and improve the overall electricity supply.

Already for this year, GPL customers in Demerara and Berbice have been dogged by several outages which have been blamed on various issues with the interconnection system.

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