GPL suspects deliberate sabotage after L2 transmission line trip

See full statement from the Guyana Power and Light Inc.:

At approximately 08:12 hrs, the L2 Transmission Line, which runs parallel to the L4 Transmission Line between the Grove and Sophia Substations, tripped. The trip caused a significant loss of supply to the grid and widespread outages across the service area.

The facts are clear. The L2 line was inspected on October 29, 2026, less than 24 hours earlier, and was found free of faults and vegetation.

Yet this morning it tripped on an earth fault on the C-phase conductor, the lowest of the three conductors and the one closest to the ground.
After the trip, GPL’s technical teams carried out extensive inspections of the line. They found no fault, no vegetation and no physical condition that could explain the incident.

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.

Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) strongly suspects that this morning’s major disturbance to the national electricity network was the result of deliberate interference with critical infrastructure.

GPL condemns, in the strongest terms, any attempt to sabotage the national electricity network. Such acts are reckless and dangerous. They endanger lives, including the lives of those who carry them out. They also disrupt homes, businesses, hospitals and essential services across Guyana, and they undermine the national effort to deliver reliable power to every citizen.

GPL will not tolerate interference with its infrastructure. The company is pursuing a full investigation and will hand over any evidence of unlawful activity to the relevant authorities, so that those responsible can be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
GPL is also stepping up surveillance and protection of its critical transmission assets.

GPL calls on the public to stand with the company in protecting the nation’s electricity supply. Anyone with information about suspicious activity near GPL lines, towers or substations is urged to contact GPL or the nearest police station immediately.

GPL’s technical teams have worked diligently to restore supply, and the company thanks customers for their patience and understanding.