NEVLEC warns of rolling power cuts on Nevis as main generator goes down for overhaul

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis. Residents and businesses on Nevis have been told to expect scheduled power interruptions over the coming days after the Nevis Electricity Company Limited (NEVLEC) took one of its generating units out of service.

In a notice published by the Nevis Island Administration on Monday, the company said Genset No. 12 at the Prospect Power Station is undergoing a scheduled top-end overhaul, carried out with the original equipment manufacturer, Wärtsilä.

Capacity cut at peak times

NEVLEC said the work reduces generating capacity at Prospect and that it will run a load management programme during periods of peak demand. That is likely to mean temporary, scheduled cuts in selected areas.

The company expects the overhaul to be completed by 15 November. The unit will then go through further checks before it returns to service, and no date was given for when it will be back on the grid.

The company also did not say how much generating capacity has been lost while the unit is down.

NEVLEC thanked the public for its patience and cooperation while the maintenance is carried out, and said further details would follow.

No person was named as responsible for the work in the notice, and the company did not say how many megawatts of capacity have been lost or how close the remaining units are to meeting peak demand.

NEVLEC thanked the public for its patience and cooperation while the maintenance is carried out. Customers who depend on a steady supply, including small businesses and households with medical equipment, will be watching for the outage schedule.