Caribbean Utilities Company has increased its generating capacity in anticipation of the summer peak.
The eight mobile generating units leased by CUC to increase generating capacity in anticipation of the summer peak load are operational at the companys North Sound Road power plant. Photo: Submitted |
CUC recently installed an additional 5.7 MW of temporary generating capacity in the form of mobile generating units, bringing the total capacity to 106.8 MW, the company said in a press release.
Prior to Hurricane Ivan, CUC’s total generating capacity was 123 MW. Following the storm, approximately 16.8 MW, representing four Caterpillar generating units, were damaged but repairable and 12.6 MW of capacity was completely written off.
A total of 95.43 MW of generating capacity was fully recovered as of June, or more than 77 per cent of pre-Ivan capacity. The company has issued contracts to recover the 16.8 MW that were damaged in the storm by December. In addition, CUC has contracted for the addition of an 8.4 MW gas turbine unit for standby purposes.
The additional four Caterpillar mobile generating units were brought online on August 19 adding to the previous four units, which were fully operational in July. The eight mobile units, totaling 11.4 MW, were leased from Mid-America Engine from Memphis, Tennessee, for six months from June to December. The termination of the lease coincides with the anticipated reintegration of the four larger Caterpillar generating units that were damaged during Hurricane Ivan, the release said.
A concerted effort by numerous CUC personnel attributed to the completion of the project. Commenting on work performed, David Watler, Manager Production Maintenance, remarked, ‘I commend the employees involved in completing the integration of the mobile units for their dedication and commitment in ensuring the project was completed on schedule. The numerous tasks involved in preparing the units culminated in a huge team effort by personnel from the Electrical Maintenance, Production Maintenance and Materials Management Departments.’
Each mobile unit, which is approximately the size of a 40-foot container, houses a self-sufficient 1.425 MW generating unit complete with radiator, cooling system and water source, and requires manual start-up, refueling and shutdown by personnel from the Company’s Mechanical Maintenance Department.
Once online, the units are run to maximum capacity. The decision to lease these units was based largely on the fact that they could be electrically tied into one of the company’s indoor substations, in much the same way that the four larger damaged Caterpillar units now being refurbished, were connected.
Commenting on the project, Richard Hew, President and CEO, added, ‘CUC understands the importance of a constant supply of electricity to its customers and will continue to take the necessary steps to restore and maintain its normally high reliability levels. I too commend the employees involved in completing the integration of the mobile units.’
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