Port-of-Spain was without electricity for more than two hours yesterday after lightning struck the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) Bamboo sub-station, Valsayn. Power outages also were reported in north, central and east Trinidad. T&TEC's communications manager, Annabell Brasnell, said around 11.30 am yesterday lightning struck the Bamboo sub-stantion distriputing electricity transmission. She said that resulted in the power loss. She said the problem at Bamboo sub-station caused all generator units at PowerGen's Port-of-Spain power station to trip, leaving the city without electricity for over two hours.
Brasnell said T&TEC technicians quickly assessed the problem and began work shortly after the incident at the sub-station. Reports of power outages came from Orange Grove, Maraval, St James, Tunapuna, Curepe, Chaguanas, Piarco, Bamboo and the East West Corridor. Power was restored to downtown Port-of-Spain around 1 pm and around 12.25 pm in the East.
Sandy confirms story
Speaking at yesterday's daily state of emergency meeting at the Prime Minister's Office, Port-of-Spain, National Security Minister John Sandy said the blackout was caused by lightning striking the Bamboo sub-station. He said the office of the Prime Minister also was affected and was operating on generators.
Asked whether the outage was related to the state of emergency, Sandy repeated that the advice he had received was that lightning had struck the Bamboo sub-station and a number of areas were put of electricity. He said he had been told that it would not have taken more than an hour or so to fix. (GA)