Published On:Tuesday, October 20, 2009

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

THE Bahamas Electricity Corporation's (BEC) proposed Wilson City power plant "will almost double the nominal generating capacity" that it currently has on Abaco, the project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has disclosed, its peak load on the island having risen by 64 per cent in five years.

The EIA by Kalimantan Environmental Services (KES), which has been obtained by Tribune Business, said that based on current and future demand trends, BEC had determined that "expansion of the existing power generating facilities is considered necessary to meet the needs of all consumers in Abaco", not least the various development projects ongoing on the island.

Delving briefly into BEC's history in power generation on the island, the KES report said the 2001 extension of its existing Marsh Harbour power station and the addition of two 4.4 megawatt generators "met the forecasted load demand" then.

"The expansion of the generating system was intended to meet the increased demand, thereby benefiting the continuing development of the island by continued encouragement of economic development for projects in tourism, agriculture and small industry," the EIA said.

The existing Marsh Harbour Power Station now had an installed capacity of some 25.6 mega watts (MW), the EIA said, with smaller generator sets having purchased to meet peak summer demand.

"The growth in consumer demand for power in Abaco over the past few years has increased," the report added. "Over the past five years, BEC's peak load has increased by some 64 per cent. This has presented BEC with challenges, in some instances requiring additional generating capacity, as well as initiating a programme to replace the older generators with new ones."

The Wilson City power plant has been a subject of much controversy recently, with BEC and the Government coming under fire amid accusations of lack of transparency and a failure to disclose details of the project to impacted Abaco residents.

Fred Smith, the Callenders & Co partner and attorney, who represents several Abaco residents, has already issued several warnings about instigating Judicial Review proceedings if his clients are not properly involved in the planning and permitting process.

The KES report said that several locations prior to the selection of Wilson City were assessed, namely an expansion of the existing Marsh Harbour power plant facility, plus the site at Snake Cay.

"Based upon limited space and the close proximity of a residential community, the Marsh Harbour site was subsequently eliminated from further consideration," the EIA said. "The selection of the Snake Cay site had additional value based upon its remote location, and the availability of water borne access for fuel and materials. However, based upon eco-sensitivity and land use concerns, Snake Cay was deemed unsuitable for BEC."

And, spelling out the consequences for Abaco, its residents and economy if the Wilson City project did not go ahead, the KES EIA said non-implementation was "not considered to be a viable option" when it came to the island's sustainable development.

Capacity

"The installed capacity at Marsh Harbour is insufficient to meet current and near future demand for power in Abaco," the EIA said.

"Without additional capacity, the need for load shedding becomes likely in order to maintain a balance between demand and generation capacity. Therefore, the proposed project is designed to meet the current and future needs, providing reliable additional electricity generation capacity."

The KES report warned that without the Wilson City power plant, "greater reliance would be placed upon the use of small diesel generator sets for residential, commercial and industrial purposes.

"Those typically burn premium fuels such as high-speed diesel, whilst their energy efficiency and inherent emissions means that their environmental performance may compare unfavourably with larger scale generation."