Saba Electric breaks ground on new power plant

July 3, 2014 News

Saba Electric Company the island’s sole electricity provider today broke ground on the first phase of the construction of the new power plant. Present at the ground breaking were Commissioner of Energy, Chris Johnson, Managing Director of SEC, Dexter Johnson, Head of Distribution SEC Julius Robinson; present from the supervisory board of SEC was Chairman Ray Hassell. Also present were representatives of contractor Saba Roads.

from l-r Chairman SEC Supervisory Board, Ray Hassell, Commissioner Chris Johnson, Managing Director SEC, Dexter Johnson, Saba Roads Representatives Paul Djasmin, Gerco Reikers,Head of Distribution SEC Julius Robinson and Commissioner Bruce Zagers at the location of the groundbreaking. Standing on the excavator is the operator. (Photo GIS Saba) — from l-r Chairman SEC Supervisory Board, Ray Hassell, Commissioner Chris Johnson, Managing Director SEC, Dexter Johnson, Saba Roads Representatives Paul Djasmin, Gerco Reikers,Head of Distribution SEC Julius Robinson and Commissioner Bruce Zagers at the location of the groundbreaking. Standing on the excavator is the operator.
(Photo GIS Saba)

This first phase of construction is preparation of the site for the power plant and entails the excavation of the property, construction of a retaining wall, creating an entrance road to the site and trench work for the main cables for electricity leaving the plant. The work is engineered and coordinated by the head of the Planning Bureau, Robert Zagers. The project is financed by SEC and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Chairman of Saba Electric Company, Ray Hassell said that the new power plant was an investment for the island of Saba to improve the efficiency of the company whereby Saba Electric Company would be able to maintain the current tariff structure or even lower the tariff.

The new site is situated on the road to Fort Bay, on a much higher elevation than where the current power plant sits. The site, some 10,000 square meters, was chosen because it provides for better protection from the elements particularly during storms and high seas. Currently during inclement weather the plant must be shut down to prevent the corrosive salt spray from damaging the engines.

The duration of this phase of construction will be approximately five months during which, preparations will be made so that work on the second phase, the construction of physical plant, can begin immediately after.

Source GIS Saba