The self-propelled modular trailer used for transporting the new Wartsila generators from Port Purcell to the Pockwood Pond Power Station is currently not working and in need of repair.

After successfully transporting one of the three generators yesterday, the trailer on its journey back to Port Purcell, experienced technical difficulties which resulted in damages.

Deputy General Manager for the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), Mr. Henry Creque said, “There is a damaged hydraulic hose on the unit and our contractors are trying to secure a replacement from the unit’s manufacturer in Germany. They are also exploring other options should there be a longer than acceptable lead time on the replacement part.”

The Corporation said the estimated time of repair can be anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the accessibility of the replacement part.

The generators arrived and were offloaded at Port Purcell on August 19, as the Territory took another step closer towards the virtual elimination of load shedding outages.

Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool and other officials from the BVIEC were on site to view the offloading of the equipment, and said they were pleased with the progress and the nearing completion of the Phase V Power Development Programme.

The Phase V programme involves the purchase and installation of three diesel-fired generators, adding production capacity of over 24.4 megawatts of electrical power, plus two 34.5 KV cables, which will follow a separate route to that of the existing Pockwood Pond to Road Town line.

The completion of this phase will result in fewer outages in the Territory, more reliable public infrastructure and reserve capacity to conduct planned and unplanned maintenance on the generating system; all supporting sustainable economic growth.