PHILIPSBURG–Consumers will continue to be subjected to multiple power outages per day as utilities company GEBE continues to load shed in the various districts due to issues with its generators.
The company said in a press release late last night that due to “continuing issues” with “several engines” at the production plant load shedding will continue throughout the week.
The company said two of its larger units are still out of service, while a smaller unit developed a mechanical problem. “The mechanics, technicians and engineers at the power plant have been working continuously to remedy all issues surrounding the units,” stated the release.
GEBE said the part for one of the larger engines is scheduled to arrive on the island this week. Once the part arrives the engine will be installed, tested and put back into normal operation. “From the two other engines, we expect to have one in operation by [this, Ed.] morning with 6.5 MW available. With three units out of service the need to shed load is important,” GEBE said.
“Load shedding is done island-wide as a controlled option to respond to unplanned events to protect the electricity power system from a total blackout. While we generally use the word blackout loosely to mean no lights, in our local area an island-wide blackout has much more serious consequences, which can occur when there is too much demand and too little supply, bringing the power system into an imbalance which can trip the power system in its entirety.”
The various districts in the country have been experiencing power outages due to load shedding since last week. The Daily Herald has not received a response to several questions sent to GEBE’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenrick Chittick regarding the specific problems with the engines and whether the new Engine #20, which was acquired several months ago, is one of the larger engines that is also down and what are the issues resulting in it being down.
In its press release, GEBE apologised to consumers for the inconvenience caused and said it is “doing everything possible to have all issues remedied.”
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/68574-load-shedding-to-continue-for-remainder-of-this-week
Just buy new ones!!!!