In progress since December 19 in Guadeloupe, the strike movement of EDF agents, added to other factors, led to long power cuts in some 60,000 homes on Wednesday, said a press release from the management of ‘EDF PEI. These cuts, linked to “the insufficiency of engines made available by the PEI power plant in Jarry, could concern up to 60,000 customers and continue during the day”, warned this subsidiary of EDF whose thermal power plant produces a large part of the island’s electricity.
During the day on Tuesday, up to 100,000 customers were affected by long power cuts, with the rate of strikers at the power generation plant being higher due to the national strike movement against the pension reform.
Households also deprived of water
On Wednesday, two of the power plant’s engines restarted but “this was not enough to supply everyone properly”, especially since the absence of wind “did not ensure sufficient wind production” , explained the network manager. The other thermal power plant in Guadeloupe is partially shut down for maintenance.
“In normal times we can quite cash these cessations of activity”, assured the subsidiary of EDF. Due to these cuts, many homes are also deprived of water, according to Eaux’Nodis, one of the island’s authorities.
Load shedding every evening
Some are beginning to call for an end to these cuts. This is particularly the case of theAssociation of Grand Jarry Businessesa major economic area of the island which deplores in a press release “severe disruptions in the activity of companies (…) sometimes forced to close during load shedding”.
The strike movement began on December 19. The conflict, which relates to wage demands, opposes the energy branch of CGT-Guadeloupe and the management of the Guadeloupe thermal power plant. Since the start of the strike, load shedding has been carried out every evening and sometimes during the day to maintain the balance of the electricity network in Guadeloupe.