Powerline inspections, vegetation trimming and automation are among the works under way to address the widespread power outages that have plagued the territory in recent months, according to Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer.
However, Mr. Rymer stopped short of promising an end to all power cuts, which he said are sometimes unavoidable for island electricity systems.
The minister’s explanation came last Thursday in the House of Assembly in response to questions from opposition member Mitch Turnbull.
Mr. Turnbull (R-D2) grilled Mr. Rymer about outages that he said residents have been “reporting almost daily” in Mayaba, Jost Van Dyke, Mount Healthy, Anderson, Brewers Bay, Cane Garden Bay, Spooners Estate, and Anderson Estate.
“What investigations are under way, and what corrective actions will be taken to ensure consistent and reliable electrical service immediately or over the next three to six months?” Mr. Turnbull asked.
Disruptions ‘expected’
In response, Mr. Rymer first explained that the Virgin Islands’ power system operates on a “radial distribution system” that he said is common on islands.
“In such systems, scheduled and unscheduled service interruptions are an expected aspect of utility operations, and the BVI is not unique in this regard,” the minister said.
He went on to explain some of the BVI Electricity Corporation’s ongoing and upcoming initiatives.
These measures, he said, include equipment upgrades, “aggressive” generator maintenance, “targeted high-voltage line inspection,” vegetation “maintenance,” and system automation designed to identify faults and restore service more quickly.
Mr. Rymer added that the BVIEC is adjusting its shedding schemes to “minimise the impact of power interruptions” on areas reporting recurrent disruptions during peak maintenance periods.
‘More frequent’ cuts
Though he claimed it is impossible for any power system to avoid interruptions altogether, Mr. Rymer acknowledged “more frequent service disruptions in recent weeks” in the territory. He concluded, however, that the BVIEC’s efforts will be effective.
“The measures currently in place and those being implemented over the coming months will continue to enhance system performance, reduce service interruption, and improve customer satisfaction,” Mr. Rymer said.
In response to his answer, Mr. Turnbull said his questions had emerged from a District Two meeting in March.
His constituents, he explained, had been experiencing a “tremendous amount of loss and costs” from frequent outages.
“Something has to be done, Madam Speaker, because especially in those areas mentioned, it seems like it’s almost every day that it happens,” he said.
The merger
Also during the HOA meeting, Mr. Turnbull asked Mr. Rymer if a feasibility study had been conducted to assess the planned merger of the BVIEC and the Water and Sewerage Department.
Mr. Rymer answered in the negative.
“Cabinet decided to merge the two entities based on the synergies between the BVIEC and Water and Sewerage Department after careful consideration of the strong leadership and structures that are in place,” he said.
‘Chronic challenges’
The minister added that a 2018 study had probed “inefficiencies and chronic challenges that have hindered” the WSD’s ability “to effectively serve the needs of our territory.”
He went on to share some of the challenges faced by the department, and he explained its efforts to address leak detection and other infrastructure problems.
“Given these longstanding issues, it was determined that commissioning a feasibility study would only delay necessary reactions and divert limited resources — something neither the government nor the public can afford at this time,” Mr. Rymer said. “The urgent need for improvement is evident. Furthermore, the statutory framework for the department has already been established.”
The minister claimed the merger will bring wide-ranging benefits.
“The proposed merger aims to unify management structures, eliminate duplication, streamline operations, and ensure a more efficient use of resources,” he said. “The facts on the ground make it clear that immediate and decisive action is required. Therefore, we do not require the feasibility study to confirm what is already apparent. We simply need water.”
Absent ministers
Though Mr. Rymer and Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley answered questions from Mr. Turnbull and his opposition colleague Stacy Mather last Thursday, the other three government ministers were absent from the question-and-answer session.
Thus, Messrs. Turnbull and Mather did not get answers to their questions for Deputy Premier Julian Fraser; Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sharie de Castro; or Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley. The HOA resumed yesterday at 11 a.m.
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