Damaged Generators have been Repaired
Speaking to BCN News, Minister Tatui has confirmed they were able to secure professional technical service from New Zealand at the end of last week and repair the damaged generators.
Minister for Infrastructure-Hon. Crossley Tatui has sincerely apologized for the power shutdowns and rationing experienced on the island last week.
Speaking to BCN News, Minister Tatui has confirmed they were able to secure professional technical service from New Zealand at the end of last week and repair the damaged generators .
“Fortunately we were able to secure professional technical service from New Zealand at the end of last week and we were able to restore the repairs to the damaged generators hence we are now almost back to normal,” said Hon. Tatui.
However he has advised the public to continue to reduce the load of their consumption in their homes, workplaces, businesses as the demand has increased dramatically.
In a media statement released last week Thursday-February 1st, 2024, The Niue Power Corporation stated that in the past week, they have been diligently operating with three generators, while awaiting the necessary repairs for the fourth generator.
According to the statement, that despite the ongoing efforts, the existing three generators were under considerable strain due to the high power demand and consequently, they find it necessary to implement rationing measures, as the loads continue to surpass the capacity of their current infrastructure.
Director of Utilities-Clinton Chapman said their immediate task now is to get a fourth generator available to assist the three that they have right now.
“So that’s an ongoing task, we have to make do with the one we do have. Until we can get the one in New Zealand that’s under service, the sooner we get that back the more secure our old station will be,” Chapman said.
He said they are working with Tesla and hoping to bring a team on the island soon rather than later to put back online, the battery system.
Chapman said as of now they have to keep going with their diesel generator at the old station and has advised everyone on the island to take the necessary measures to reduce daily energy consumption in their homes.
Meanwhile, Hon. Tatui has also confirmed that the commissioning of the new power house still remains in place for March as a special team has been assigned to plan out the loose ends that have been left out for a while to do.
“Many implications, lack of resources and capacity, hope things fall into place, to successfully commission the power house in March,” he said.
