The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) says it suspects deliberate interference with a transmission line caused widespread power outages on Friday morning, after inspections failed to identify a physical fault that could explain the disruption.
The company said its L2 Transmission Line tripped at approximately 8:12 a.m. on October 30, causing a significant loss of electricity supply to the grid. The line runs parallel to the L4 Transmission Line between the Grove and Sophia substations.
According to GPL, the affected line had been inspected on October 29, less than 24 hours before the incident, and was found free of faults and vegetation.
The company said Friday’s trip involved an earth fault on the C-phase conductor, the lowest of the line’s three conductors and the one closest to the ground. Technical teams subsequently conducted extensive inspections but found no fault, vegetation or other physical condition to explain what had happened.
“A line that is clean one day does not fail on its most accessible conductor the next without cause. GPL believes this points to deliberate interference,” the utility stated.
GPL has not established sabotage as the cause of the incident. Its statement outlined its suspicions but did not identify any suspect or disclose evidence directly showing interference with the line.
The company said a full investigation is underway and that any evidence of unlawful activity will be handed over to the relevant authorities. It is also increasing surveillance and protection of critical transmission infrastructure.
Condemning any attempt to interfere with the electricity network, GPL warned that such actions could endanger lives, including those of the people involved, while disrupting households, businesses, hospitals and other essential services.
“Such acts are reckless and dangerous. They endanger lives, including the lives of those who carry them out,” the company said.
GPL appealed to the public to report suspicious activity near transmission lines, towers and substations to the utility or the nearest police station.
The company said its technical teams had worked to restore electricity and thanked customers for their patience. However, the statement did not specify how many customers were affected or whether supply had been fully restored.
