New generators to boost power supply by 28% |21 June 2010

Present were representatives of the management of the presidential affairs of the United Arab Emirates – which is funding the project – suppliers Wartsila and the Public Utilities Corporation.

Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Transport Joel Morgan, who chaired the meeting, said Wartsila, a Finnish manufacturer and supplier of engines, will instal and commission the two new generators.

Each of them will add eight megawatts to the national grid, raising the Roche Caïman power station’s generating capacity from 57MW to 73MW by the middle of next year. This will increase the output by 28% and help meet future demand.

Mr Morgan said claims that the new generators will only help to power Sheikh Khalifa’s buildings going up at La Misère are not correct because those premises already have their own power generators and, in any case, they would not need so much power.

He said the power from the two new units will be distributed throughout Mahe and benefit all residents and businesses.

Wartsila said the new generators are designed to be more environmentally friendly, emit less carbon and be even more reliable than the existing ones, which are now over 10 years old.