GPL’s Good Hope substation targeted in firebomb attack

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Good Hope Distribution Substation after four glass bottles containing suspected kerosene, with pieces of cloth attached, were found near its main transmission line.

The incident occurred at approximately 22:45 hrs on Tuesday, November 10, along the Good Hope Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara. GPL said CCTV footage captured two individuals at the facility, one of whom allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail into the live 69kV switchyard.

According to police, a 49-year-old GPL operator was alerted by security guards to a fire near the facility’s main transmission line. The operator checked the area and observed a fire which reportedly burned for approximately three minutes.

During a visit to the facility on Wednesday, November 11, investigators discovered four glass bottles containing a liquid suspected to be kerosene, with pieces of cloth attached. A black lighter, a saw frame and several pieces of broken glass bottles were also found in the area.

The Guyana Fire Service was contacted to assist with the investigation, while efforts are ongoing to identify and locate those responsible. Police also observed CCTV cameras in the vicinity, which are expected to be reviewed.

GPL described the incident as deliberate sabotage and warned that a firebomb thrown into an operational high-voltage yard could ignite transformer oil, cables and switchgear, triggering fires or explosions and endangering employees and nearby residents.

The utility said a successful attack could have caused a complete shutdown of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System, affecting more than 220,000 customers. It estimated that extensive damage to the substation could take at least 12 months and billions of dollars to repair.

However, there were no line or feeder trips and electricity supply was not interrupted. GPL engineers inspected the facility overnight and confirmed that no major equipment was damaged.

The company has formally asked the Guyana Police Force to investigate the incident under the Anti-Terrorism and Terrorist Related Activities Act 2015, as well as provisions of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act relating to arson, malicious damage and conspiracy.

GPL contends that the deliberate use of a firebomb against an operational electricity substation falls within the description of a terrorist act under the 2015 legislation, which includes acts likely to cause serious harm, damage property or disrupt essential public utilities when intended to intimidate the public.

The utility said it has handed over its CCTV footage to investigators and increased security and patrols at substations and power plants across the national grid. It also warned that anyone involved in damaging or attempting to damage its facilities, including those who plan, fund or assist such acts, could face prosecution and civil claims to recover losses.

Investigations are ongoing.