GEBE management was informed late last week by SOL - main fuel supplier to GEBE - about a shortage of Heavy Fuel Oil. SOL and GEBE have been exhausting all possibilities to continue the electricity supply to the community of St. Maarten.
The GEBE Power Plant at Cay Bay switched over to light fuel over the weekend and has been working with SOL to acquire additional fuel from other fuel suppliers, including Statia Oil Terminals, in order to sustain electricity supply until SOL's tanker arrives on the island Tuesday evening, December 16, 2008.
Both GEBE and SOL have tightened their controls on the fuel supplies since an "off-spec" fuel delivery caused a number of outages and engine problems earlier this year. The difficulty in sourcing Heavy Fuel Oil at GEBE's specifications and the increased demand at the start of the tourist season are the main reasons behind the temporary fuel shortage.
A number of other entities on the island that utilizes generators for the production of electricity also use light fuel oil including motor vessels, and combined has added to the challenge of a limited supply of fuel for the production of electricity.
GEBE is therefore advising its customers that some load shedding may be necessary for Tuesday, December 16, 2008 until the new supply of fuel arrives on the island. To prepare for an outage, GEBE recommends unplugging any sensitive electronic appliances and leaving a radio or light on to alert you when the electricity has been restored.
GEBE Managing Director, William Brooks, is encouraging the community to minimize the impact by following this advice: turning off any unnecessary appliances and reducing electricity consumption as much as possible. "If we all can reduce our electricity consumption as much as possible, we will be able to stretch the fuel as far as possible until SOL can replenish their fuel storage tanks," Brooks stated.
GEBE apologizes in advance for the inconvenience to the general public but will do everything possible to minimize the impact on the community.
