BEC Chairman Leslie Miller
BAHAMAS Electricity Corporation Chairman Leslie Miller dispelled concerns that recent power outages in various areas of New Providence were a result of load shedding.
However, to curb the outages caused by a currently malfunctioning engine at Clifton Peir, Mr Miller said the corporation was forced to use the Baillou Hills plant as an alternative source that would be more costly.
Mr Miller expects that by Friday the Clifton engine should be up again and “we should have no 10 back on track with that 26.5 megawatts of power”.
“We’ve given those persons at Clifton the authority to shut that engine down, get it right and fix it properly. So we now got to switch to Baillou Hills,” the BEC Chairman said.
“The reason why we didn’t switch the Baillou Hills is because to switch to Baillou Hills is going to cause us tremendous amount of money per day.”
“Baillou Hills uses the Diesel Fuel and we were trying to avoid that by using the Bunker C, which is 30 per cent less at Clifton than it is at Baillou Hills. We’ve now switched to the engines at Baillou Hills. So they won’t be interrupted any more.”
Mr Miller dispelled rumours that the outages are not linked to load shedding. “There’s no load shedding,” he emphasised.
In fact, BEC hasn’t had any load shedding for the last 18 months. We’re very proud of the work that has been done in that period of time. No load shedding,” he repeated.
Comments
GQ 10 years, 9 months ago
O.K. Mr. Miller you have an acceptable excuse for the outages in Nassau about generator(s) being out of service. What is the reason why the NEW plant in Abaco consistently is shutting down? I am told that twice this morning power was off.
Why can Nassau burn Bunker C and it was not permitted in Abaco? or was this one of Hubert's ways of punishing the island which supported him for so many years.
B_I_D___ 10 years, 9 months ago
Bunker C is a terrible terrible fuel to burn...more and more countries are banning it, hence why it is so much cheaper than the more refined diesel.
B_I_D___ 10 years, 9 months ago
No argument from me there!! At least now they are bringing in the low sulfur 'clean' diesel as slightly cleaner option...still terrible though...but that Bunker C is one of the worst!!
Mayaguana34 10 years, 9 months ago
Where is the General Manager ?
realfreethinker 10 years, 9 months ago
Mayaguana34 I was wondering the same thing It seems like they dont have one. Chairman has all the say hmmmmmmm
concerned799 10 years, 9 months ago
Why are we burning (very dirty) bunker C when the sun is there for free? Panels are way cheap now from China, so where are the plans to move us to emission free solar?!
paul_vincent_zecchino 10 years, 9 months ago
Solar is a great idea but that's all it is for many reasons to do with the laws of physics, and simple things like dust which collects on panels, and the angle of the sun being optimal only for a few hours a day.
Rounded off to the nearest whole number, solar supplies zero percent of energy needs. It's great for low current devices, beacon lights at small secondary lighthouses or on buoys, for low power weather telemetry transmitters in remote sites.
But to turn over air conditioners or just provide the base load for lighting typically at night when the sun is long past being useful? Well, either one needs massive batteries which make problems with Bunker C oil seem trivial, or accept that diesel, and gas-fired cogeneration still hold the market.
They've been at solar a long time, but thus far there's no beating the laws our Creator put in place.
Many of us would love it if solar were practical but as of yet it isn't.
Silly things, such as solar panels on roofs are now endangering firemen who respond to housefires. To cut a hole in the roof they must first cut thru solar panels which often are bristling with, you got it, electricity.
Solve one problem, create many more.
NassauTeacher 10 years, 9 months ago
NassauTeacher1 minute ago
Simply put, you have no idea what you are talking about. You are merely spouting rumor, old information and foolish rhetoric put forth by people who have a financial stake in the current fossil-fuel based energy production methods. While solar will not produce 100% of the energy needs, it's cost-per kilowatt is now becoming economically feasible, not to mention the environmental impact it would have... In the not-too distant future the cost to bring those filthy oil barges in will be too high for the Bahamas to pay- then what?
Solar technology has come a long way, and it is not just about panels on roof tops anymore. Offsetting the current oil-based production will save money, make new jobs, provide alternatives when engines fail, help clean up the environment and help protect the Bahamas from outside economic instability by proving locally-produced clean energy.
Dust and firemen? REALLY? Next you will tell me that cigarettes don't cause cancer and there is no climate change happening. Get out of the 1970's, Grandpa, and smell reality.
Emac 10 years, 9 months ago
I agree with you 100%. But my God, you ain gatta be so mean calling the man grandpa. LOL
John 10 years, 9 months ago
Is this an indication of what type of summer we are going to have? Why is everything falling apart in this country? So many. many stores and other businesses are closing down, daily and only the web shops seem to be prospering?
For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through.
John 10 years, 9 months ago
Don't think the web shops are 'prospering'. The few thousand dollars they pay their staff a week is peanuts they are sucking out of the Bahamian economy every week, like a giant tornado..we in serious trouble if the problem is not fixed
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