Loadshedding will run until Oct though SP hopes it will be eased at end of August

The capital city’s power woes will run until October as Solomon Power says the load-shedding now experienced in Honiara will continue until October though they hoped it would be eased at the end of August.

Honiara is currently badly affected by load-shedding with many businesses lose up to six hours a day without power supply, causing anger to both companies and individuals in the city since April this year.

In a statement over the weekend, Solomon Power offered little relief to the frustrated community with easing could happen at the end of the month and the cease of load-shedding is still two months away in October.

“Solomon Power would like to once again thank our valued Honiara customers & residents for your patience and understanding during this period of load shedding.

Our available generation capacity is currently 10.3 MW compared to a possible maximum demand of up to 16 MW in Honiara. There is still a shortfall of about 5.7 MW that we cannot provide for at this stage.

Our recovery plans that will result in the ceasing of the load shedding by October are on track,” the SOE said in a statement.

It also issued photo evidence of the works currently being done on two of the generators at Lungga Power Station, one of which is currently undergoing a major overhaul.

Solomon Power said during a major overhaul, additional parts may require replacement and in such cases, urgent orders will have to be placed, which can cause further delays in the forecasted re-commissioning dates for the machines.

“If there are no further additional unforeseen parts required, we hope to have this generator back online by the end of August. All the parts that we have ordered and received are correct and are being used in the overhaul work currently ongoing,” it said to defuse rumours that some of the parts were wrong ones as claimed on social media/

Solomon Power said the return of this generator would further increase its generation capacity to 13.3 MW by the end of August and would provide much easing (shortening) of the load shedding.

“We also have in the country since July, service engineers for our Man Diesel & Wartsila generators doing work on these generators and are being supported by our staff,” it said.

The power company also confirmed that the radiator required for one of the generators at Honiara Power Station was airlifted into the country with the assistance of the Australian High Commission here in Honiara, for which Solomon Power is very appreciative.

“We have also progressed with our plans to have additional generation capacity installed. Taking into consideration shipping lead times, installation, and tests; this is anticipated to be completed before the end of the year,” it said.