PM Kamla awaits report on nationwide power outage

PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine get up update from technical personnel when she visited the Powergen Station in Penal at around 5:08 Friday morning

Electricity has been restored to most of Trinidad and Tobago following a nationwide outage that began just after midnight Thursday due to a faulty system at the main natural gas supplier.

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T&T national blackout caused by malfunction in gas supply system

On Friday evening the office of the PM issued a media release noting that Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar in the early morning hours of Friday 29th March - Good Friday - responded to the nationwide blackout by increasing the alert state and rallying personnel at TTEC, NGC , WASA and ODPM to bring the matter under control in quick time. 

It added, "Throughout the night Prime Minister led the security mechanisms via constant communication with the Commissioner of Police, Chief of Defence Staff and National Security Operations Centre.

"Fighting a flu, Prime Minister then visited the PowerGen facility at 5 am Friday with the Minister of Energy and Energy Resources for an update from officials.

"In less than eight hours power was restored to most of the nation. Not settled with those quick results the Prime Minister has ordered reports on the cause of the power failure with specific advice on preventing any such re-occurrence in the future.

"The Prime Minister wishes to reiterate her thanks and appreciation for the efforts of personnel from the utility, security and energy sectors."