Guest on popular Issues of the Day talk show, Bahamas Electricity Company general manager Bradley S. Roberts, assured radio listeners on Wednesday that, “everything is cool” this coming summer.
And he also disclosed that BEC has considered suing the manufacturer that sold the Company the problematic No. 11 generator in 1999.
Compared to last year, fewer power outages are predicted this summer with the repair of three malfunctioning generators. Mr. Roberts, said consumers would see more relief when the 30-megawatt No. 11 Slow Speed Diesel at Clifton Pier is repaired and the No. 12 generator and 23 megawatt Gas Turbine No. 7 is commissioned next month.
“We expect everything to be cool and for power to be stable. We cannot rule out the occasional outage, because if there is inclement weather, especially lightning and wind, it can effect the reliability of our system…” said Mr. Roberts.
Radio talk show host Jeff Lloyd asked whether BEC considered taking legal action against the manufacturer that sold the company a generator with broken piston wings and cylinder liners that have to replaced, all at a price of $1 million.
“How come you haven’t made that particular manufacturer to account for this poor lemon that you have received?” asked Mr. Lloyd.
Mr. Roberts said, “In the final analysis, we may have to sue the manufacturer, but now we are taking the progressive steps to correct the problem.”
Even after experts and representatives from the manufacturer assisted BEC, Mr. Roberts said the generator’s performance is not satisfactory and needs additional modification, which, including the proposed No. 12 Slow Speed diesel generator, would cost the Company some $60 million.
As consumers’ dependency on BEC and its service increase in sync with technology development, Mr. Lloyd asked, if BEC was ready for the future.
Mr. Roberts said a system development team studies, increasing tourist arrivals, contraction statistics and other information enables them to determine the lower growth in the coming years.
“With that information, we are then able to programme when to add new equipment and plants. Once we get the approvals we need in a timely basis, we select the right contractors to assist, once these things come together, then we are able to meet the demand,” said Mr. Roberts, who is confident that this will happen.
As discussions continued, Mr. Roberts said new customer service features, including an interactive voice response system which enables consumers to access accounts over the phone is soon to be put in place.
“All that’s needed is basic information, including a customer I.D. (identification). That will enable customers to access our system and get information, such as claims forms and other information to do business with BEC,” he said about the system to be implemented this month.
Consumers in Exuma and Ragged Island will also see relief with a power plant on those islands, while other Family Islanders should expect “better quality service.”
By Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian
