RRB in limbo, but BPL’s Station D still moving forward

Even as Bahamas Power and Light’s (BPL) rate reduction bond (RRB) placement is in a state of limbo following the country’s general election, the company continues to move forward with its plans for the development of Station D, having participated in a public consultation meeting with the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) Tuesday evening.

The funding that will come from the RRB is essential to the development of Station D, but as the new government gets itself situated and rolls out its new plans for the country, it is not yet known if it will move forward with the same plans put in place by the current BPL board.

BPL’s Executive Director Patrick Rollins said during the public meeting that should the current board’s plans follow through and the RRB is successful, New Providence could see the introduction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) two years after the completion of Station D.

Alfred Sears, the new minister of public works and utilities who has oversight of BPL, said he is still familiarizing himself with the proposed BPL projects.

SEV Consulting representative Stacey Moultrie said Finnish marine 

equipment and technology company Wartsilla is the engineer, procurement and construction contractor for Station D, which she added will take 14 months to complete when construction begins.

She said Station D will continue the company’s modernization of power generation in the country by increasing efficiency and reliability and with the introduction of LNG.

She said the station will accommodate six reciprocating engines with generating capacity of 85 to 102 megawatts, a lifespan of 25 to 40 years and the ability to use three types of fuel.

“The next step in the process is the project has to submit its environmental management plan to the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection for its review,” said Moultrie.

“When that document is satisfactorily reviewed by the department, then it will issue the certificate of environmental compliance (CEC). Once the project has the CEC, then it will be able to apply for permits to allow construction to commence.” 

Rollins said the new plant will use heavy fuel oil (HFO) to produce electricity until LNG is available in the country. 

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/rrb-in-limbo-but-bpls-station-d-still-moving-forward/