No details on how long load sheding will last

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Solomon Power is unable to reveal how long its current load shed would last but admitted that it would take time following a technical fault that reduced its transmission capacity at Lungga Power Station.

Since Saturday night, electricity supply has been rationed with several feeders experiencing more than four hours without power each day.

Many angry Honiara residents are calling on Solomon Power to explain.

One businessman has called for the removal of the board and management of the SOE. Last year Honiara residents went through several months of load shedding, many complained that it had affected their businesses and properties at home.

Power was only fully restored before the Pacific Games in November. Six months later, the long hours of power blackout has returned.

In a statement to today, Solomon Power says the Power Availability in Honiara City has reduced to about 10MW due to reduction in the Transmission Capacity form Lungga Power Station.

“This means that we are not able to meet the demand due to a technical fault on one of our Step Up (11kV/33kV) Transformers at Lungga Power Station.Assessments have been carried out to determine the extent of the fault. It will take time to establish the condition of the Transformer and ascertain the work required to get the fault fixed,” SP said in the brief statement.

It further states that: “Solomon Power would like to convey its sincerest apologies to all its valued customers in Honiara City for the load shed. Due to the reduction in capacity we are unable to meet the power demand especially during the day, we have had to implement a load shed schedule. This means that some areas will have no power for a certain period of time.”

Solomon Power says it is doing all it can to restore the Transformer so that the power can be normalized, however this will take time and “we thank all our customers for your patience and understanding.”