Linmine substation explodes
-damages steam generator
Stabroek News
November 6, 2002
The mining town of Linden was plunged into darkness on Deepavali night following a huge explosion at a substation belonging to the Linden Mining Enterprise (LINMINE) at McKenzie.
At around 8:15 p.m. on Monday while many persons were participating in the evening's holiday activities, a loud explosion was heard from the substation in the industrial area.
It is further reported that the explosion was followed by huge blue flames which lit up the night sky and were clearly noticeable for almost 10 miles.
Reliable sources told this newspaper that the explosion sent a power surge to the main power generating house at the Linden Power Company (LPC) resulting in severe damage to some of the main components on the No.2 steam generating set.
Since then residents of the town have been forced to live with periodical four-hour power supply. The power company, it was said, has been able to maintain a 24-hour supply to LINMINE.
Several residents yesterday reported damage as a result of the surge to their electrical household appliances.
Reliable sources told this newspaper, that LPC only has two working diesel generating sets and is currently working to bring a third set into use.
Once this is successful according to the source, there will be a significant reduction in the period of blackouts until repairs are completed to the steam turbine and it is brought back on load.
LPC's Manager, Steve Bovell when contacted yesterday afternoon had said the problem would have been rectified by last evening. However, up to press time several parts of the town continued to experience blackouts.
Meanwhile efforts yesterday to ascertain the cause of Monday night's explosion at the LINMINE substation proved futile.
Residents in the town said the power supply had taken on an irregular pattern yesterday afternoon. Thy said the power which was returned at 5:30 p.m. was switched off at 5:45 p.m. only to return 10 minutes later. It did not last for long as it was again switched off some 15 minutes later.
Severe power fluctuations are also said to be preceding the outages sending persons scrambling to turn off their electrical appliances.
As a result of the unstable power supply, water distribution to the town is also said to have been affected.
Earlier in the year Linden had experienced similar power woes when components at the power plant were damaged as a result of a power surge. (Cathy Wilson)