General Manager of the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), Mr. Leroy Abraham has said that the restoration of electricity in the Virgin Islands is moving faster than expected.
Mr. Abraham said more assistance has arrived from abroad including a 27-member team organised by the United Kingdom through Varlard, a Canadian electricity company.
“The Canadian team is being split in two,” he said, adding, “One team is now working on the Long Swamp – college feeder that goes through Fat Hogs Bay, Paraquita Bay and terminates at Kingstown. While the other team is working on the Long Bush – West End feeder that goes through Harrigan, Chalwell, Cane Garden Bay, Ballast Bay and terminates at Cappoon’s Bay.”
The General Manager said the corporation is continuing its work in Jost Van Dyke and that electricity will be partially restored on the island in the coming days.
He disclosed that 10 of the 15 feeders are semi-operational and three feeders are fully operational. The remaining two feeders, Little Dix Bay and Long Bush – Ridge 1, are not are not yet on the grid.
Mr. Abraham stated that although the corporation is making great improvements each day, no timeline has been established due to challenges that have hampered progress along the way. He said manpower is still an issue; while new teams are coming, previous teams are leaving the island.
“The numbers are fluctuating, some have been replaced, and some have not, and naturally as we approach the Christmas/Holiday Season, all teams that have been visiting, will be demobilised to go home and spend time with their families. All of those factors will impact the progress that we are making at this time,” Mr. Abraham said.
He further explained that resources are also a challenge and there have been delays in getting materials exported from the United States, including poles. Mr Abraham said despite the challenges, the corporation is working towards full restoration sooner than expected.
