Power project completed, plant getting new name

While announcing that the contractor is ready to hand over the project that will improve the Territory’s electricity production, the government-owned BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) said the power plant in Pockwood Pond is to be re-named the Henry Wilfred ‘Freddie’ Smith Power Station.

The official re-naming, as well as a commemoration of the completion of the Phase V Power Development Programme will take place during a public ceremony to be held 10′ clock tomorrow morning, May 4.

General Manager for the BVIEC Leroy Abraham said completion of the project represents a paradigm shift.

“The completion of BVIEC’s Phase V power station extension project is a paradigm shift, with respect to the production of electrical energy within the Territory.”

‘It will provide a more reliable electricity supply, and afford BVIEC the opportunity to perform both planned and unplanned maintenance on its generation assets,” added Abraham.

The project, which is also referred to as Phase V, was executed by contractor Wartsila.

It was funded with a $35 million loan from the Social Security Board.

In describing the importance of the project, the government said: “Phase V consisted of an expansion to the Pockwood Pond building, the installation of three new Wartsila generators with a total capacity of 25.5 megawatts, and two 34.5 kilovolt transmission cables upgrade between Pockwood Pond and Long Bush.”

“After the completion of Phase V, the Territory’s electrical power supply will have a capacity of 57.5 megawatts, which is a 47 percent increase after units 1, 2 and 11 (sum capacity 5.5 megawatts) are retired. This completion also means that the power supply will be greater than the demand, which will allow for reliable energy to the Territory.”