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Scheduled power outages upsetting residents

- power outages necessary for safe transporting of BVIEC’s generators
August 22nd, 2016 | Tags: power outages BVIEC humid complaints generators
The scheduled power outages are said to be necessary to facilitate the safe moving of the generators to Pockwood Pond. Photo: Mahde said
The 8MW Wartsila Generator on Waterfront Drive last night, August 211, 2016. Photo: Mahde said
The 8MW Wartsila Generator on Waterfront Drive last night, August 211, 2016. Photo: Mahde said
The movement of the generator was delayed for about an hour at the junction of James Walter Francis Carriageway and Station Road. Photo: Mahde Said
The movement of the generator was delayed for about an hour at the junction of James Walter Francis Carriageway and Station Road. Photo: Mahde Said
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While the scheduled power outages are reportedly necessary for the safe transporting of the three Wartsila generators from Port Purcell to Pockwood Pond, this has not stopped residents from expressing their discomfort, especially on social media.

BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) announced that there will be power outages on Sunday August 21, Tuesday August 23, and Thursday August 25, 2016 in several areas during the hours of 10 P.M. and 5:00 A.M. to facilitate the transporting of the three 8MW Wartsila generators.

During the operation, according to BVIEC, pockets of customers along the road from Port Purcell to Pockwood Pond will experience interruptions in service due to the required disconnection of lower hanging utility cables.

And residents can’t wait for the transporting of the engines to be completed, as they have been frowning at the thought of having to endure humid nights, filled with mosquitos.

“Why can’t they do that in the day when everyone is awake?” one woman told this news site after hearing the news. “Tonight is going to be so hot! And those mosquitoes! Urrrgg!”

According to the woman, who preferred not to be named, said she will be making plans to spend the nights at a friend’s house that is not being affected.

‘Complaints expected’

A Kim Pemberton wrote on the BVI Community Board that with the scheduled power outages, complaints from the public could be expected. “With this in mind let's see how many will come on complaining about no power, they hot, the power needs to come back on etc etc.”

Pamela Forbes responded: Of course I'm already complaining about no sleep coming. The temperature in my house right now is 90 at almost 9.”

Other bloggers, who commented on Facebook, included Nick Cook, who said: “So why the outages Tuesday night/Wednesday morning and today already? Always a good excuse, always something else's fault.”

Former Complaints Commissioner, Mr Elton Georges OBE also had some comments. “Don't understand why the entire highways should be closed on those days. Do you mean sections of the highways at particular times?”

The BVI Electricity Corporation responded on its Facebook page that “The long closures are required based on the scope of the work. A significant amount of preparatory work will be happening ahead of the engines on those nights, including the installation of temporary fly-over bridges, and relocation, disconnection, and reconnection of telecom and electric utility cables.”

A Dawn Brewley said she was sorry to hear some of the comments. “Yes it's not nice if you have been having loads of outages and I can understand your frustrations. I would be too. But tonight I don't think there will be any major disruption based on what they said. It's mainly where there are still overhead lines. Cause those are active live wires that would need to be turned off before they pass. I am happy for the upgrade even though none of us like the inconvenience. Ok. Hope we all have a good night and not drenched in sweat and the mosquitoes.”

The transporting of the first generator was actually delayed for nearly four hours due to "snags" along the way.

22 Responses to “Scheduled power outages upsetting residents”

  • POPE (22/08/2016, 09:47) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    and when they mash up your equipment they never pay a dime
  • i from here (22/08/2016, 10:29) Like (52) Dislike (3) Reply
    Anyone vex at these power outages are a certified jack donkey! On behalf of the smart residents of the BVI, turn off whatever power in the area to get these new generators to Pockwood Pond safely and to make sure whoever helping come out injury free !!
    • I agree (22/08/2016, 11:07) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
      I swear we are a set of doo doo head people. These generators need to be moved safely. Of course the darn power has to be off in some areas, and the road way blocked temporarily! The upgrades are needed and if the power has to be off now to get to that point of no power outages in the future, then turn the azz of it off. Some of us act like we cant do without for a little while. Mature up for heavens sake. Good job Electricity, its been a long time coming.
    • Why worry when we can pray (22/08/2016, 11:10) Like (28) Dislike (2) Reply
      I actually enjoyed lookin. At these great people who risk their lives everyday for us up in these buckets keeping the hanging cords from touchin the generators. Operating like this is a baby and they are doing everythin in their power to protect it from harm. Last night was a real display of team work where everyone worked hand in hand. Bear in mind we celebrate emancipation in this month a little power outage cant kill us what about our ancestors who had only candles and give thanks. We should be thankful. I made some insect repellent out of lemon grass and eucalyptus and oil down my children i keep the doors open and let the natural breeze flow through and them. Never even know. That the current went off. Stop complainin and give thanks
  • Mannix (22/08/2016, 10:54) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    IGNORANT PEOPLE ONLY INTO THEMSELVES.
  • wize up (22/08/2016, 10:58) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Free is very funny because some of us cussing due to the many power outages NOW steps are being taken to help correct the power supply problems some of us still vex......
  • wow (22/08/2016, 11:05) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    if these new generators will mean fewer power outages in the future then i am willing to put up with some now to get them installed, we are tired of living with a third world power grid
  • vi (22/08/2016, 11:07) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    People stfu with your immature nonsense. What is being done is necessary. Live with it and grow the hell up
  • just asking (22/08/2016, 12:00) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    Why couldn't the generators have been off-loaded at Pockwood Pond by the reclaimed land via a barge then trucked across the road? I mean we have had ample time before the gens arrived to sort out things; so why only recently did works begin to assess the over-head limitations and those with traversing the bridges?
    • just answering (22/08/2016, 12:22) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      @just asking

      Sweetie if that was possible they would have done that.
    • wize up (22/08/2016, 14:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ just asking: that was my question as well; that process would have taken far less time.....
    • wow (22/08/2016, 14:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      no deep water port down there so it can't be done
      • wize up (22/08/2016, 19:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ SMH: port Purcell was not always a deep water port...it might be a good idea to develop a deep water facility at pockwood pond(this is about the third time the people have to endure this; as a progressive society put corrective measures in place)....
  • Street reporter (22/08/2016, 12:19) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    These people are just playing us for their own benefit.. Current will still go out regularly after the installation of these generators then the next government will ask for $60 millions for more generators.. Look at the history of outage government and generators..their is a pattern
  • SIS (22/08/2016, 12:27) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The public was told in advance about the changes. I prepare for the power outages. I got myself a big ice cooler and filled it with bags of ice and put the frozen stuff in it. I am willing to do without power for a couple of hours so that the generators and the workers can get to their destination safely.
  • Proud (22/08/2016, 12:59) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shaking my head at these petty people griping over the small stuff. We should all be proud of what our Territory is accomplishing. We should all line the road to Pockwood Pond and cheer our brave men as they walk the path. We should be giving them an encouraging word, offering them a cool glass of water. We should be walking the journey behind them. Instead some of us are so bloated with negativity that all we do is sit and complain.

    I stood with pride after midnight as I watched the generator make its slow journey to Pockwood Pond. I am eternally grateful to those men who risk their lives to keep power in our homes and business places day and night, working long hours, through storms and hurricanes. Salute those brave men, people. They do job that should make us all proud.

    I salute the staff of the BVI Electricity Corporation, especially those hard-working men. Never mind the naysayers. I AM PROUD Of ALL OF YOU!!!!!
    • Second That (22/08/2016, 15:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I was just saying the level of some people mentality is so far off. How can people be so damn self centered and dumb. They are angry because they have to go without power for a couple of hours and they are going to be late for work. I agree with the bloggers who said we should be out there cheering the workers on and at least offer them a bottle of cold water.I am also proud of the workers and want each and everyone of them to be safe.
  • Strpppss (22/08/2016, 13:40) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    BUN SOME CANDLE AND SHUT AYO R@SSSSS
  • Boo (22/08/2016, 15:38) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hope they are better than the last set we got
  • musa (22/08/2016, 20:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    just do your job team and call me if u guys need help to get raid of the crateing
  • hot (05/09/2016, 08:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Understand the need for grnerators and getting them to Pockwood. But could they explain why there are outages for all the other months? 2-3-4 outages a day?? This is neglect or incompitance!


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