LUCELEC Reports Major Transformer Failure at Soufriere

System Reconfiguration Keeps Soufriere Powered Up

The St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) says a major piece of equipment at its Soufriere substation has failed.  The failure resulted in customers in Soufriere and the immediate surrounding areas experiencing power outages throughout Monday.  

LUCELEC was able to restore power to most areas by reconfiguring the system, while the exact nature of the fault was being investigated.  During the system reconfiguration some customers would have experienced more than one outage.

LUCELEC Chief Engineer Goodwin d’Auvergne says LUCELEC was carrying out some further modifications to the system during the course of Tuesday to improve the interim measures that have been put in place. In the meantime, he adds, the power company is exploring options for an optimal solution.

In order to minimise strain on the temporary arrangements that have been put in place, LUCELEC is asking customers in Soufriere to be a little more efficient in their use of electricity until the system adjustments are completed.

The cause of the failure is being investigated and LUCELEC will provide further updates on the progress of the system adjustments.