By Sue-Ann Wayow
A LACK of basic maintenance is the reason why a crucial electricity tower failed on Tuesday night causing almost 30% of the population to be without power.
This is according to political leader of the Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) Phillip Alexander.
Alexander said, “The government has been ignoring all of the infrastructure falling apart.”
He added, “Things are going to start collapsing all around us.”
Alexander said after 60 years the politicians in power has not installed a strong foundation for the country and now it was falling apart.
The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) in a final press release on the situation, early Wednesday morning said electricity was restored in most areas and works will be continuing that day.
It stated that at approximately 7 pm, a major disturbance was experienced in the system after a landslide caused the 220 kV (220,000 volts) transmission tower to shift at Rousillac, putting excess strain on the transmission lines, which led to a break in the tower and the lines.
The affected line brings power from the Trinidad Generation Unlimited (TGU) plant in La Brea to the rest of the grid. Additional generators were brought online by the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to restore supply to the approximately 30% of the customers in Trinidad who were affected T&TEC stated.
Rolling load shedding may be instituted in the early morning as the use of electricity increases.
The commission is advising customers to conserve electricity to assist in managing the available capacity and reduce the number of forced outages.
