El Niño-driven heat has pushed electricity demand in Linden beyond available generation capacity, prompting intermittent power outages as the Linden Electricity Company Inc. (LECI) works to stabilise the grid and develop longer-term solutions.
LECI said its maximum available generation capacity is currently 14.5 megawatts (MW), while peak demand in the community has risen above 15 MW in recent weeks.
The company attributed the sharp increase primarily to higher-than-normal temperatures associated with El Niño, which has increased the use of air-conditioning and other cooling equipment.
LECI said demand had already been rising steadily before the recent heatwave because of economic growth, including the expansion of housing schemes and new businesses. The increase has accelerated the need for upgrades to Linden’s electricity infrastructure.
A 15 MW solar photovoltaic farm is being developed with government support to strengthen the community’s power supply, with the first phase scheduled for commissioning by the end of 2026.
However, LECI said the sudden increase in demand has created a temporary gap between available supply and consumption before the solar project comes online.
To prevent a wider grid failure, the company has implemented scheduled load-shedding during peak demand periods. The outages are being rotated across communities to limit the impact on individual areas.
The government has also secured the general agreement of Linden sawmillers to operate between 10 p.m. and 11 a.m., when electricity demand is lower.
LECI said it is in discussions with its generation supplier to secure additional short-term capacity while the solar project is being developed.
The company urged residents and businesses to conserve electricity by setting air-conditioning units at higher, energy-efficient temperatures, switching off lights and appliances when not in use and limiting the use of high-energy equipment during peak daylight hours.
LECI apologised for the disruption and said it was working with the government and its supplier to stabilise the grid and keep consumers informed.
