VINLEC has move another step closer toward the construction of the Lowman’s Bay Power Plant.

Last Friday, January 7, during a media briefing at VINLEC’s Cane Hall offices, VINLEC’s CEO Thornley Myers and Roger Noseworthy of Man B&W Diesel Canada Ltd signed a US$22 million contract for the construction of the plant. The Canadian company is acting as contractor on the project in which VINLEC is investing some EC$100 million.{{more}}

At the media briefing, Project Manager Herbert Samuel revealed that the project is designed for a total of four diesel engines, though only two are being installed on this phase. He assured that the 40 or more megawatt power station being constructed at Lowman’s Bay should satisfy this country’s power requirements over the next 15 years.

The project also envisages the installation of fuel storage and handling capabilities which, Samuel said, should contribute toward the long-term future of electricity generation in the country. He also noted that a seawall to protect against water and waves from the sea is also planned as part of the project.

Also present at the media briefing was Minister of Transport and Works Senator Julian Francis, who has responsibility for electricity. Francis noted that the project should have been delivered in the period 2001 to 2002 and as a result was therefore now costing the company much more than originally estimated.

Myers strengthened this view pointing out that had the project been implemented three years ago it would have cost $60 million. The present cost is today in excess of $100 million. Of this amount VINLEC’s input directly was EC$22 million with $100 million borrowed.

Minister Francis pointed out that the development of Lowman’s Bay will be of a multi-purpose nature allowing for a floating buoy mooring, fishing and recreation. He also said that government is looking at a national storage facility in accordance with the terms of the Caracas Accord whereby Venezuela is to provide oil to several Caribbean countries on concessionary terms.

Meanwhile the public should see a beehive of activity at Lowman’s Bay soon. The contractors said that heavy work is to begin from February with drilling operations making way for foundation work by April to May for a building to be delivered by June to July.

A hectic programme is planned with engines arriving in September to be installed by December.