BVIEC: Fires added to power restoration delays
As impatience grew among residents still without power, the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) assured the public that it is working diligently to restore electricity across the territory following Tropical Storm Ernesto.
Power has already been restored to many communities across the BVI. However, BVIEC General Manager Dr Neil Smith has cautioned residents that certain challenges are slowing down the process.
“We’ve had to put out quite a few fires, actually,” Dr Smith said in a recent interview on ZBVI Radio. He explained that these fires were caused by “leakage” between electrical lines on wooden poles, forcing crews to call the fire service to extinguish the flames before repairs could begin.
In some instances, the damage has been so severe that entire poles need replacing, further extending restoration times. “We’re facing all of these challenges, and we try to overcome them as we go,” Dr Smith reassured the public.
Additionally, BVI crews are dealing with a temporary manpower shortage, as some workers are still in St. Vincent assisting with power restoration after damage caused by Hurricane Beryl. Dr. Smith noted that this mutual aid among Caribbean islands is a common practice during times of disaster.
Despite the hurdles, Dr Smith expressed confidence that a solution is near. “We’ve had offers for assistance as well. But logistically, it doesn’t make sense. Because we suspect that everything will be back up by this weekend,” he stated.
Residents in areas still without power are encouraged to be patient and to understand the unforeseen challenges that crews are facing.
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I understand the issues, but this was just a Tropical Storm, Mr. Smith!
I suppose it is best, that we as residents, and consumers of BVIEC take this into account should a bigger storm hit us in the future (God forbit). But it is certainly cause for concern as our infrastructure is archaic and in bad condition!
Thank God we got back electricity after 48 hours .
Thank you to all BVIEC staff their families etc…., Dr.Smith and everyone..
I hope everyone gets back soon.
I wonder if we have a shortage of linesmen and that is why restoring power is taking so long.
If this is the case just bring in some to help from another island we and our lical overworked linesmen deserve better.
Did you even read the article before commenting?
We need power in the brewer’s bay and mt healthy area it’s been 3 nights straight
I’m a resident who has been without power for 3 days now. I want to thank the hardworking field staff for all they are doing and continue to do. I am however calling out the executive of the BVIEC as having failed this territory on this very basic test of their strategic foresight and preparation. If after the learnings from Irma/Maria they cannot treat with bringing the territory back in a timely manner after a less impactful storm; they have woefully failed us and someone should be held to account at the very top! We cannot have this as their standard of performance going forward!
I am 100% in agreement with you. This is absolute nonsense.
still none in brewer’s bay
BVI EC distribution infrastructure are so fragile – BVIEC and Govt should embark on a comprehensive plan in order to make these lines and pole more resilient to tropical storm and cat1 hurricane. What we are experiencing now should not have happen if systems were in place.
secondly the government refusal to prone overhang trees on a regular basis also contributed to an already fragile and weak infrastructure.
ITS NOT TOO LATE TO ASK THE GOVENER TO IMPORT MANPOWER OR ASK GUYANA, TRINIDAD OR JAMAICA EVEN SANTO FOR HELP.
No, no, no! We need to plan to have underground power lines; at least along the “major routes”, then they wouldn’t be affected by wind & weather. But I guess the problem would be when the roads get dug up (for whatever reason), & PWD damage the lines…..
Irma was 7 years ago…..
What has BVIEC done to improve out electrical safety?
Why are they not implementing a plan to bury as much as possible?
THe lack of bush cutting is an enourmous problem, allot of the road run off is the cause of too much bush on the road.
BVIEC workers you are doing the best you can, thank you.
Decision makers.. start implementing the way forward? it is only going to get worse?
The whole BVI seems to just allow the repeat button to be used.. if we dont start planning our future with infastructure improvements we gone…
With all the FSC-money that had come in over the years we should not be a Third-World-Country. Can anyone explain where this money and the Environmental tax have gone.
BVI GOVT SHOULD CHARTER A PLANE TO BRING BACK OUR LINESMEN HOME FROM ST VENCENT ASAP.
Majority of the homes in Hannah’s have no electricity since Tuesday night. And no water too, it is tough.
There are only three lines men in Saint Vincent.
Exactly they calling back for the 3 they so ungrateful look at how many came from other countries when Irma hit here to help
time to make the investment and bury the lines…
It’s a shame we didn’t take the U.K. loan guarantee for $400m in 2018.
We could have made so many high quality improvements to our third world backwards infrastructure.
It’s as though we like living in crap…
WE ARE LIVING IN CRAP. WE ARE ON THE LINE BETWEEN 03RD WORLD AND FORTH WORLD.
BVI IS LOSING ITS PEOPLE AND BUSSINESS TO OTHER JURESDICTION SIMPLY BECUSE OF QUALITY OF LIFE OR LACK THEREOF. THIS IS EVIDENT IN OUR SOCIAL SECURITY AND NHI INCOME AS WELL.BEAUTIFUL BEACHES AND NICE BVISLANDER CAN ONLY GO SO FAR.MY FELLOW BVISLANDERS ARE LEAVING TO OTHER PLACES AS WELL. ATLANTA, NORTH CAROLINA LONDON, GUYANA ETC.AM WORRIED ABOUT MY LOVLY ISLAND WILL BE BRAIN DRAIN SOON.
Time to bury the new lines and put a plan together to bury the older ones as well…
If HSA and other deadbeat Government agencies would pay their bills instead of paying fat cat salaries and spending money on expensive toys they don’t use maybe BVIEC would have the money for a better response.
Same government need to pay bvihsa bill. Premier don’t shop and he dont pay bills
Money gone, infrastructure gone, bush finally gone & soon people gone.
Our governments have failed us all. They got generators, food and hefty bank accounts where they can jet off when needed to avoid the daily crap.
BVIEC need to come in by the Belle Vue Seventhday Church in the area by Good Hands Trucking straight in. No power and it is Saturday morning. Mosquitos killing my family and I. Everyone on the main roads light up. Why we in here suffering with small children?
BIG PUNISHMENT FOR YOU PEOPLE. LAST TWO WEEKS YOU NASTY EVIL PEOPLE WAS OUT HERE SHAKING YOUR NASTY DIRTY A..ES. TAKE WHAT YOU ALL GOT AND DEAL WITH IT THE BEST WAY YOU CAN.
The BVIEC response to what was barely a cat 1 hurricane is just deplorable. But it just highlights our govts low regard for infrastructure. The power grid, roads, garbage disposal, sewerage- it’s all a joke. No investment and what’s worse, no govt official really cares. Lord help us.
They are working tirelessly but I do think they need some overseas help. I hope the Caribbean islands or Guyana send some crews. Please keep children inside because many places have live wired handing around according to some fb posts
Why not answer your phone BVIElectricity???? My water pump is dead, fridge won’t start when low voltage is stabilized. I am guessing the fridge is also ruined by low power even though it has a voltage regulator on it. Why isn’t BVIEC telling us anything it is now 8:11 Saturday night.
How many of my appliances did the low voltage kill before I figured out, the “restored” power was actually low voltage. Water-pump does not want to come on nor the fridge even tho it has a surge protector. Why is BVIEC leaving on fluctuating electricity? The say there are other areas suffering from low voltage also. Now BVIEC are not answering the phone. Just ridiculous in 2024, 5 days, after a TROPICAL STORM.
Forty years and counting and nothing has changed since my years i Handsome Bay.
TV, frig, electronic devices and my way of life were all destroyed.
Then, the company flat out refused to pay up.
Had to go with life and replace items that i did not destroy..
This and other kinds of abuses upon the weak, poor and disorganized masses will continue until the people stop being abused, get out and rebel, and demand better from cooperation’s and government. As, those entities are just people who hide behind a name to remain unaccountable, derivative and heartless
If the government do its job which is before the storm have them workmen them go out and cut all trees around the poles and maintain it at all times. Government always wait for disaster so they can play hero. The government causes all destruction not the Creator. Learn the difference between the god in the Bible and the Almighty Father n
Trees around light poles should be cut and maintained at all times. Not only when there are storms and bad weather. People here act like turkeys on the farm that stand in the rain with their heads pointed to the sky with their mouths wide open catching water until they drown.
The BVI has now evolved into a 4th World Country. Two baby steps forward, Twenty steps backwards. We should be ASHAMED TO INVITE ANYONE FROM THE OUTSIDE TO VISIT THIS DOWN TRODEN AND DEPRESSIVE PLACE. ROADS IS DEPLORABLE, PLACE IS STINKING, DIRTY AND FILTHY, RAW HUMAN FECES BUBBLING IN THE STREET, OPEN BURNING GARBAGE DUMP BLOWING TOXIC FUMES 24/7 365. GET YOUR S TOGETHER BVI AND STOP SPRAYING PERFUME/BODY SPRAY, EXCUSES AND BLAME TO COVER UP THE FUNK. THE BVI IS THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE CARIBBEAN.
Could not have said it any clearer. People here walking around like they are lost in the land of make believe. Dumb, incompetent, slow, stupid, half stupid and a lack of basic common sense. Perhaps it is the poison from the toxic fumes that they are inhaling from the open dump that is turning them stupid. I agree, how can you be inviting people and tourist to visit this slum aka ghetto. When I travel and is asked where I am from I never say Tortola. That damn BVI love slogan needs to go. False advertisement. Who want to get mad or suck your teeth, suck your teeth until your mouth goes dry.