BPL: latest exercise initiated due to “circumstances beyond our control”
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) yesterday reinitiated load shedding as a result of generation challenges, according to company officials.
In a statement around 8 p.m. BPL said, “Due to circumstances beyond our control, load shedding is scheduled for this evening, 29th July, 2019, following a three-hour rotation for industrial self-generating GAP consumers.”
According to the power provider, which has struggled to keep the lights on in recent months, particularly during the summer, areas affected will include the national stadium, portions of Yellow Elder, Claridge Road, the Mall at Marathon, and areas surrounding the Town Centre Mall.
Responding to questions from Eyewitness News Online, BPL Director of Communications Quincy Parker said the company has had to load shed as a result of “persistent generation shortfall”.
Additional rental generation was expected to be supplemented by Aggreko to shore up BPL’s generation capacity within the first week of July.
Asked about the status of those units, Parker said five megawatts of rental units were sent to Bimini to bolster generation on the island; 14 megawatts have been installed in New Providence and Aggreko was “working with BPL to bring the remainder online as soon as possible”.
Another six megawatts of rental generation is expected to be installed on New providence.
It remains unclear when that installation will be completed.
