BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, AUGUST 23RD 2010 (CUOPM) – Two new generators for the Needsmust Power Plant were offloaded at the Deep Water Port in Basseterre on Saturday.
The two 4.0MW Holeby gensets from MAN Diesel arrived on board the Antigua registered BBC Ukraine and are expected to be commissioned by October. The other two are expected to be commissioned by February next year.
Monday afternoon, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Utilities said the two generators that arrived Saturday were purchased at a cost of US$10,828,000 and the two expected later this year and to be commissioned by February next year were bought at a cost of US$11,031,000. He said the total cost for the four gensets is US$22,031,000 and not US$30 million as previously stated.
Civil works are continuing at the new site, east of the Needsmust Power Station to accommodate the four gensets, all of which will be in place and fully commissioned by the end of February 2011.
The largest engine, a 7.6 MW was damaged by fire in 2008. Additionally, the two Caterpillars purchased between 1989 and 1995 had to be removed from service due to their long history of failures and problems, poor fuel efficiency and extreme unreliability.
Mr. Peets also clarified that between 2007 and 2011 the Ministry of Public Utilities would have procured a total of seven (7) 4.0MW Holeby engines costing approximately US$38.2 million and not US$58 million as previously stated.
There are now two generating stations, one is partially automated and the other manual. The old station contains three generators with an average age of thirty four (34) years which will soon have to be replaced also.
The newer station will house the four new Holebys.
