WILLEMSTAD - The utility company Aqualectra states in a press release that it has faced challenges with its electricity production units in order to meet the higher-than-normal demand due to the intense heat. The company explains that technical failures in the gas turbine, production units undergoing maintenance, early hot season combined with increased electricity demand are factors that have contributed to these challenges. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to expedite the maintenance of the units in maintenance, and work is being done on the gas turbine blades to bring it back into reliable service. In addition, Aqualectra says it has approached the management of the Curaçao Refinery to start the gas unit at the CRU plant to assist with power generation to meet the demand. Aqualectra's team is closely monitoring the situation to take prompt action as necessary. Aqualectra expresses its apologies for the situation. Through this statement, the factors causing the situation are clarified, and the community will continue to be informed in case of any further developments.
Technical failure of the gas turbine
Aqualectra uses the gas turbine as a backup and emergency unit. Due to this and the fact that it is the most expensive unit to generate electricity, this unit is mostly kept on standby and not in use. When it was put into use, some technical failures were observed, leading to the need to shut it down. Work was carried out during the weekend to address these issues and put the unit on standby again, so that the gas turbine can be back in reliable service.
Units under maintenance
As part of the regular planning during this season, three units are currently undergoing maintenance. They have reached their scheduled maintenance time and have been stopped. These units are awaiting replacement parts and will be made available for electricity generation once they are ready. Aqualectra has sought assistance from experts from Wärtsilä, MAN Diesel, and Power Plant Solutions to work on the units in maintenance to expedite their readiness.
Earlier and hotter heat season than usual
Everyone has noticed that the heat we are experiencing is not the usual heat for this season. Besides the heat, we also observe less wind, and when there is wind, it fluctuates significantly. This results in reduced electricity production from wind turbines.
Higher-than-normal demand
Another consequence of the heat is that the demand for electricity is higher than usual for this time of year. On June 1st, we recorded a peak of 126.3 MW. This compares to the highest peak of the last five years, which was 137.8 MW. It is a demand that is quite high in terms of production, especially considering that in the last five years, the maximum demand for the months of May and June was typically between 115 and 120 MW.
Requesting assistance from the CRU plant
Another step taken was approaching the management of the Curaçao Refinery (RdK) to start the gas unit at the CRU plant to assist with power generation and meet the demand. Aqualectra is grateful for the availability of the CRU staff to start the plant and help meet the demand.
Change in the switching sequence
Due to recent occurrences where the automatic switching system was activated, Aqualectra technicians have made some changes to the neighborhood switching sequence. The new sequence is as follows:
Group of neighborhoods to experience power loss in the first instance: Blauw, Blue Bay, Boca, Klein Sint Michiel, Sint Michiel Liber, Social Housing in Sint Michiel, Jandoret, parts of Grote Berg, Ilandweg, Weis, Rancho, and Schelpwijk.
Group of neighborhoods to experience power loss in the second instance: Noord Rozendaal, Heintjekool, Providensiaweg, Haitiweg, Bahamasweg, Mayaguanaweg, The Bottomweg, Noorwegen, Kanga, Churchil Plaza, Dein, Zapateer, Bonam, Erosweg, Oost Jongbloed, Seru Molina, Scherpenheuvel, Kruit Huis, Klein Kwartier Industrial Area, Seru Lora, Santa Rosa, Seru Molina, Esperanza, parts of Cadushistraat, Weto, Klundert, Kwartje, Janboos, Sint Thomas, Kent U Zelf, and Oude Water.
Group of neighborhoods to experience power loss in the third instance: Goede Hoop, Cabo Verde, Mahuma and Mahuma West, Santa Maria, Kura Piedra, Salsbachweg, Lousianaweg, Juan Hatoweg, Utilaweg, Brazilweg, Schonegevelstraat, Toni Koenchi, Labadra, Las Almas, Costa Firma, Barbouquet, Vrije Zone Kon. Plein, Emmastad, Tax Office, Sun Valley, Sunset Heights, parts of Schelpwijk, Brievengat in front of SDK, Groot Kwartier, Matancia, Corrie, Trai Seru, parts of Brievengat, Rancho, Plantersrust, Roodeweg, Recreation Park, Colon, Kranshi, Renata Medisch Center, Nijlweg, Gasparitu, MIL, Pater Blomweg, Habaai, Seru Domi, Seur Gerardweg, Mundo Nobo, and El Señorial.