BELCO Completes $15 Million Development
Today, Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited (BELCO) celebrated the completion of its newest plant installation with a ribbon cutting ceremony, officially bringing online 13.5 megawatts (MW) of plant, powered by three 4.5 MW Rolls Royce 501KB7S gas turbine generating sets and auxiliary equipment.
These new engines replace four smaller gas turbines that had reached the end of their useful service lives. With the new gas turbines, BELCO is able to leverage advances in technology, doubling power output, improving plant reliability and reducing environmental impact. Total cost of the development was $15 million.
Gas turbines project manager Roger Todd, BELCO Senior Engineer-Energy Supply, said, “We have had a great team working on this project since 2008, when we started reviewing proposals. We awarded the contract to Centrax Gas Turbines in January 2009 based on their engine design and ability to meet stringent environmental specifications.” He continued, “We appreciate the professional support that Centrax provides, and are grateful to our local partners, D&J Construction and Woodbourne Associates for their commitment to getting the job done on time and within budget.”
Walter Roban, Minister of the Environment, Planning & Infrastructure Strategy, said, “I would like to congratulate BELCO, and especially Mr. Todd and his team, on the successful completion of this project. Planning for power generation is a long-term process that BELCO manages knowledgably and carefully. In the months ahead, we will continue working with BELCO to ensure that the most efficient, effective plans are in place. We will work toward incorporating new, ‘greener’ technologies into Bermuda’s energy mix, while also encouraging consumers to become more energy efficient.”
Andrew Parsons, BELCO President, said, “Operation of the new gas turbines does not negate the need to proceed with ordering new diesel plant by mid-2011, which is why we filed an application with Planning on 30 December 2010 for further development of our Central Plant. We will be retiring aging diesel plant in 2013 and 2014. In order to have new equipment manufactured and installed, we must place orders this year, so that we may continue to reliably meet Bermuda’s continued demand for electricity.”
The gas turbine plant was installed and commissioned in May 2010, in time for summer, when demand for electricity rises due to air conditioning. BELCO monitors and trends the Island’s electricity demand continually, ensuring that sufficient generating plant is installed and available to meet projected demand. The gas turbines serve as peaking and emergency standby plant. They are smaller and more expensive to run, and as such, operate less frequently than BELCO’s base load diesel engines.
BELCO relies on 13 diesel engines to supply Bermuda with electricity securely, reliably, sustainably and affordably. BELCO Central Plant’s maximum generating capacity is approximately 165 MW (summer rating). BELCO projects that the Island’s electricity consumption will continue to increase, demanding an additional 20 MW of capacity by 2020. BELCO’s goal is to have 20 percent of the Island’s electricity generated from renewable sources by 2020, but still rely on diesel engines, for the foreseeable future, to meet Bermuda’s base load.
“Thumbs Up” to Belco! Meeting the demands of the comsumer, staying within budget and considering the environment. Supply and Demand … soon come BILL … Stay positive and keep smiling!