Barbados Power Blackout - Green Monkey Blamed

Barbados power came to a screeching halt just after daybreak yesterday as power failed across the island.

It is believed to have been caused by a green monkey climbing a high voltage pole while the backup systems failed.

The blackout lasted from early morning until around 1:10 pm, and seriously affected businesses, local homes and tourists across the island.

Manufactures have the option of providing their own power, and this blackout puts the Barbados Light and Power Company on the front burner with regards to  vulnerabilities of their companies operation. This blackout may push many manufacturers to start providing their own power, and also speed up the construction of wind farms in the north of the island.     

The Managing Director of the light company went on TV to explain to the public why the blackout occurred. The problem appears to have started at a fault on the 24,000 volt cable between the main generating plant outside of the capital city Bridgetown, and the central substation at Haggatt Hall.  

Two 69,000 volt underground cables, which were to provide backup services also failed. Light company officials stated that the underground cables were not operational because of damage from the construction of a highway extension, which is part of the infrastructure work to ease traffic congestion during Cricket World Cup 2007.

The company said in the area where the power outage appeared to have originated, there were reports of a monkey climbing a pole which carried the older high voltage cables - a 24,000 and 11,000 volt cable.