By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Business Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Power and Light Company Limited (BPL) said yesterday that it is “making good progress” on its commitment to improve electricity service in North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, stating that it expects “major improvement” in service in reliability before the end of September.
As reported by Tribune Business, due to power outages and repeated power surges, resort operators on Harbour Island have expressed serious concerns over “major” equipment damage as well as damage to the island’s reputation as a tourist destination. In a statement responding to Tribune Business inquiries, Arnette Ingraham, BPL’s Corporate Communications, acknowledged that customers in North Eleuthera and Harbour Island have experienced bouts of supply interruptions over time, due primarily to the need for major network improvements in the transmission of power from the Hatchet Bay Power Station (HBPS) to North Eleuthera and Harbour Island.
“BPL believes that by providing new generation for Harbour Island this will significantly improve reliability on the island while also allowing for infrastructural upgrades on the transmission network out of HBPS. In the long term, adequate generation on Harbour Island as well an upgraded supply out of HBPS will provide greater energy security to the area,” the statement read.
It further noted: “A contract was signed two weeks ago to provide 6 megawatts of generation at the Harbour Island Power Station. Work has already commenced at the site and BPL expects the engines to be operational well before the island’s busy winter season.”
BPL continues to ask for patience from its customers in North Eleuthera and Harbour Island as necessary maintenance along with existing system abnormalities may cause periods of supply interruption until the generator units are operable. “The company is committed to ensuring that it communicates planned outages in advance and keeps residents informed when experiencing challenges. BPL expects major improvement in reliability on Eleuthera before the end of September, 2016.”
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