The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Staff Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net MAJOR blackouts can be expected on New Providence as a result of overdue maintenance at the Bahamas Electricity Corporation, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts claimed last night. However, BEC chairman Michael Moss confirmed the corporation was close to executing a contract for repairs to one closed station, and making a determination on whether or not to overhaul two aging gas turbines. Mr Moss said he did not expect any blackouts as the corporation moves out of the slow season. While it was still too early to make a determination on whether stand-by generators will be employed by the corporation during the peak summer months, Mr Moss said the use of generators would be executed in a planned and scheduled manner if necessary. In a press statement, Mr Roberts raised concerns over the corporation's oil debt, the closure of Station A at the Clifton power station, and maintenance to gas turbines at the Blue Hill power plant. Mr Roberts charged that the corporation owed more than $120 million to oil suppliers, and challenged officials to provide assurance that there would not be a subsequent shortage as a result of payment delays. Mr Roberts said: "We are also informed the BEC is obliged once again to seek the return of standby generators, a repeat of last year's scenario, which resulted in cost per kwh, resulting in increased customer bills. "This contributes to more stresses on its already overburdened customer base of which some six thousands households in New Providence are forced to live without electricity." He added: "All indications point to the return of load-shedding (with the standby generators) will be at the same level experienced last summer or before." Mr Roberts maintained that the purchase of another gas turbine generator would increase the cost of electricity and criticized the government for not purchasing any new generators at the Clifton power plant during its five-year term. Mr Roberts said his party would introduce alternate energy and restore rate levels set by the previous PLP government if elected as the new government. Mr Moss "categorically denied" Mr Robert's claims over the corporation's oil debt. He maintained that BEC purchases fuel at contract prices and that total money owed did not exceed $100 million. Mr Moss confirmed Station A had been closed for structural repairs and the corporation was minded to have the facility operational in time for the peak season. Gas turbines at the Blue Hill power plant were manufactured and installed in the early 1970s and will cost around $5 million each to restore, Mr Moss said. The corporation is making an assessment to determine whether or not it would be prudent to execute an overhaul or invest in new equipment.