Tropical Storm Matthew Electricity System Update #3

As at 8 a.m. today approximately 98% of the electricity infrastructure has been energised, following the passage of Tropical Storm Matthew.

A few small areas, some individual or small groups of customers remained without power last night (due to localised faults or the need for transformer replacements) when the LUCELEC crews finally knocked off about midnight after a very long day in the field.  These include: some parts of Cap Estate, Bonne Terre, Bois d’Orange, Barnard Hill, Morne Fortune around the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Aux Lyons, Vieux Sikwi, Piton Flore, and near the Sugar Beach Hotel in Soufriere.

Much of the remaining work involves the replacement of transformers, low voltage line repairs, repairing broken service lines (from the pole to the customer’s meter), and repairs to hanging or fallen meters. LUCELEC crews are already back in the field attending to these remaining issues.  The transformer replacements, low voltage line repairs are being done first, and the service line and meter repair or replacement work will be done subsequently.

Overall, the main electricity infrastructure held up fairly well during Tropical Storm Matthew. Apart from the Union Substation which suffered some minimal flooding, the Cul De Sac Power Station and the remaining substations (Cul De Sac, Soufriere, Vieux Fort, Praslin, Castries, Reduit) all came through the weather system intact.  The Union Substation was cleaned and fully reinstated into the electricity system by 7:55 p.m.

Several parts of the island suffered power outages during the storm as a result of the loss of Union Substation, branches or trees falling on power lines or poles coming down.  Based on system loading, approximately, 70% of customers would have been affected.

Power restoration work began early Thursday morning and by the end of the day 98% of the system had been reenergized.  It is expected that all remaining works will be completed within the next 48 hours.

This is the final update on the electricity system following Tropical Storm Matthew.