The Ministry of Communications and Works confirmed that the first of three new Wartsila diesel-fired generators has arrived safely at the BVI Electricity Corporation’s Pockwood Pond Power Station.

The generator was transported by a remotely controlled multi-axle low bed trailer with over 100 wheels. The generator arrived this morning at 9:00 a.m. with a transport time of 12 hours due to a few delays that have been resolved for the next trip.

Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool said that the investment that the Government of the Virgin Islands is making in the national electricity supply through the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) will benefit the Territory tremendously.

Minister Vanterpool said, “It provides additional power for future development and the present developments that we have; it can ensure a stable infrastructure in reference to power supply.”

Minister Vanterpool commends the management and staff of the BVIEC for their excellent work on the Phase V Power Development Programme and for the company’s continued commitment to the people of the Virgin Islands.

The remaining two generators are expected to be transported to the Pockwood Pond Power Station separately on Tuesday, August 23 and Thursday, August 25 from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

The James Walter Francis Drive, Waterfront Drive, and Sir Francis Drake Highway between the BVI Ports Authority in Port Purcell and BVIEC Power Station in Pockwood Pond will be closed on the respective dates to facilitate the transport of the generators.

The public is asked to use alternate routes, to remove all derelict vehicles from the road ways, and to refrain from parking on the roadways to prevent any transportation delays.

Temporary interruptions in electricity, telephone, water and cable television services may be experienced during transportation times of 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

As part of the Phase V Power Development Programme, the Wartsila generators will add an extra 24.4 MW to the current national electricity grid and will be installed over the next few months. Work is expected to be completed by December.

Phase V also included the installation of two 34.5 KV transmission cables from Pockwood Pond to Long Bush which was completed in June.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is already planning its next steps forward in improving the power supply by means of renewable energy.