PHILIPSBURG–Consumers can expect a stable supply of electricity and an end to load shedding by the end of the day today, Friday when utilities company GEBE repairs an issue to its newest generator Generator #20.
The part for the generator is expected to arrive in the country today and after installation process of several hours, the generator will be put back into operation. With this generator back in operation, the power situation is expected to return to normal GEBE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenrick Chittick told reporters at a press conference at GEBE’s main office on the Walter Nibseth Road early Friday morning.
During the briefing Chittick delivered a presentation outlining the challenges encountered with three of the company’s largest generators Engines #18, #19 and #20 over the past week. Engine #19, had been down for repairs; #18 developed a turbo failure and #20 had a scheduled maintenance in early August, but after the servicing and attempts were made to put it back into operation another issue developed and parts from abroad were needed. The situation with the power supply issues was compounded because parts to repair Engine #20 had been held up abroad resulting in a lengthy delay. The part is expected to arrive in the country today, Friday.
Chittick dismissed claims in the community that the frequent load shedding that was being experienced over the past days had been a result of lack of maintenance and sabotage. He said there had been no sabotage and he outlined how often the engines at the company are serviced.
As for the long term, GEBE is hoping to acquire a new generator (Engine #21) in 2018, which would help to further stabalise the supply of electricity in the country (read more in tomorrow’s issue of The Daily Herald).
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/68659-power-situation-to-return-to-normal-today-chittick-there-was-no-sabotage
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