Three Wartsila diesel generators producing a total of 24.4MW of power have arrived in the Territory.

The new generators will further provide reserve capacity to take care of planned and unplanned maintenance of the generating units, thereby reducing the need for load shedding.

The additional equipment is also vital, as the Government of the Virgin Islands in collaboration with the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) continues to make progress in completing the Phase V Power Development Programme.

This programme initially involved the purchase and installation of additional diesel-fired generators, adding production capacity of over 16 megawatts of electrical power, plus two 34.5 KV power cables, which follows a separate route to that of the existing Pockwood Pond to Road Town transmission network.

Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool and officials from the BVI Electricity Corporation were on site to view the offloading of the equipment today, August 19.

Honourable Vanterpool said that Phase V is a game changer for the Virgin Islands as the power development programme promises to increase the Territory’s power generation capacity by approximately 33%.

General Manager for the BVI Electricity Corporation, Mr. Leroy Abraham said, “I am very pleased to advise that the BVIEC Phase V Development Programme’s major project equipment, being the three new Wartsila generators and the auxiliary equipment to facilitate the installation of same, are finally here in the Territory.”

Mr. Abraham added that the erection of the power station extension is well advanced and ongoing and is soon to be finalised with the installation of the three new generators.

Government officials and members of the BVI Electricity Corporation Board broke ground on March 23, 2015 for the Phase V Development Programme at the Pockwood Pond Power Station.

The three Wartsila diesel generators, arrived as schedule on August 15, and will be transported individually from the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority in Port Purcell to the BVIEC Power Plant in Pockwood Pond on Sunday, August 21; Tuesday, August 23; and Thursday, August 25, from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

The Ministry of Communications and Works is notifying the public that the James Walter Francis Drive, Waterfront Drive, and Sir Francis Drake Highway between the BVI Ports Authority in Port Purcell and BVIEC Power Plant 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 and cable television services will also occur during the transportation times of 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

The BVI Electricity Corporation is a statutory board under the Ministry of Communications and Works. Its power development programme supports Government’s overall commitment to create a better quality of life for the people of the Territory, thereby ensuring the economy’s continued growth.