New Providence
BPL on Load Shedding in New Providence
By Khyle Parker
May 16, 2019 - 10:45:16 AM

Nassau, NP – Bahamas Power and Light Company Limited (BPL) wishes to confirm that load shedding has been conducted in New Providence since May 10. However, BPL expects to return an engine to service in the week of May 20, which will significantly bolster our generation capacity and stability.

The load shedding of the last week is due to the reality that BPL has, at present, insufficient generation available to meet the demand on the system. Demand has begun to increase toward the summer peak as is customary at this time of year. We acknowledge the inconvenience and frustration this causes and assure all that we are committed to improving our ability to prevent load shedding, and ensuring better customer service when we are forced to employ that tool.

As we have previously reported, two of our larger generating assets at the Clifton Pier Power Station were rendered inoperable last year, reducing our available generation capacity.   Added to that, routine scheduled maintenance was required on additional generators in advance of the summer peak. The last of these works remains in progress and is expected to be concluded by the end of the month.

Additionally, unplanned and unexpected challenges developed over the past week at both the Clifton and Blue Hills Power Stations affecting energy supply. These issues together resulted in the present generation shortfall necessitating load shedding and regretfully impacting our customers.

Every effort is being made to conclude the routine maintenance and necessary repairs, and to supplement generation with additional units to bring an end to the load shedding in the short term. 

The first of the impacted generating units is expected to be returned to service the during the week commencing May 20. The return of this unit will go a long way toward improving the present situation. Unfortunately, the generation shortfall is expected to persist until this occurs.  As previously indicated, the ongoing routine maintenance activities will be concluded in June, further boosting the available generation capacity.

BPL has also sourced 25 megawatts (MW) of additional rental generation for its Blue Hills Power Station. These units are currently being installed and will begin to come online at the end of the month. Lastly, BPL has engaged additional technical services to first expedite the diagnosis and repair of the remaining generators and then to provide additional operational and maintenance assistance to supplement our teams. This assistance is already on the ground and has begun the necessary assessments.

BPL regrets the present situation and again wishes to express that we are working to resolve the issues. We are also seeking to minimize the disruption to our customers by scheduling any needed load shedding appropriately. We will be providing information on the scheduling shortly.

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