On Tuesday, 10th December, St. Kitts experienced a complete blackout due to a fault at the Needsmust Power Plant. Thanks to the swift action of the St. Kitts Electricity Company (SKELEC), power was restored across the island within hours, minimising disruption to residents and businesses.
The incident, which occurred between 5:00 and 5:30pm, was triggered by a burning odour detected in the plant’s main feeder room. SKELEC technicians promptly shut down the grid to investigate and, with the help of advanced diagnostic tools recently added to the company’s safety programme, quickly identified the source of the issue.
In a statement on Wednesday, SKELEC confirmed that its teams worked overnight to restore power to all feeders, demonstrating their commitment to providing reliable service even under challenging circumstances.
Addressing the Challenges of Ageing Infrastructure
While SKELEC’s rapid response has been widely commended, the incident also highlighted ongoing challenges posed by the plant’s ageing infrastructure. The largest generator at Needsmust Power Plant is nearly 40 years old, and the second largest has surpassed its 25-year operational limit.
SKELEC’s Engineering Manager, Kenrod Roberts, noted that maintaining these older systems is becoming difficult as parts are no longer manufactured. This has led to custom fabrication of components to keep the equipment running, placing additional strain on newer generators.
Government Commitment to Power Modernisation
Minister of Energy ,Konris Maynard, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming the island’s power infrastructure. He highlighted ongoing efforts to upgrade and modernise the Needsmust Power Plant, including the procurement of new generators and the integration of renewable energy solutions.
“We commend SKELEC for their swift and efficient handling of this incident,” Minister Maynard said. “However, this highlights the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades. We are fully committed to making the necessary investments to provide reliable and modern power solutions for the people of St. Kitts.”
In October 2024, a temporary 6-megawatt power generating plant was commissioned to support the grid while long-term upgrades are implemented. Additionally, the Government has secured US $40 million in funding from the Saudi Fund for Development to install an 18-megawatt dual-fuel generator at the Needsmust Power Plant.
A Focus on Sustainable Energy
Beyond immediate upgrades, the government is advancing its renewable energy agenda. The new generators will work alongside a solar energy system, reflecting a commitment to sustainable and resilient energy solutions.
Minister Maynard emphasised, “These investments are critical to ensuring the reliability of our energy system and moving towards a greener, more sustainable future.”
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