The project will see the construction of replacement generation that will consist of four new MAN dual-fuel engines, totalling 56 MW, and all associated infrastructure. The replacement generation will be located on BELCO’s existing Pembroke facility and it is anticipated that construction will take 18 months.
The new engines are designed to provide a reliable and fuel-efficient power supply, while complying with all the latest and most stringent environmental regulations. They will replace the 9 (out of 17) aged engines that BELCO will be retiring between now and 2020. The new engines will have the capacity to run on both fuel oil and natural gas; however, BELCO will continue to use fuel oil until a National Fuel Policy has been developed and implemented for Bermuda.
This new plant together with the power plants delivered by BWSC in 2000 and in 2005 will constitute the foundation for the future power supply for Bermuda’s 60,000+ inhabitants.
The project is financed by loans from the international bank HSBC’s Bermuda branch, with export credit guarantee from EKF, a strong partner in the competition to obtain international contracts as this.
“This is an important moment in the history of our Company”, stated BELCO CEO, Sean Durfy. “Having just closed on the necessary financing, we can finally proceed with the construction of this critical infrastructure. We are very pleased to have partnered with BWSC-MAN as they are a leader in their discipline. Given the importance of the Project to the stability and reliability of Bermuda’s electricity supply, it is critical that we have vendors who have a proven track record and who can provide us with long-term cost benefits beyond that of initial construction and commissioning costs.”
“BELCO has been a valued BWSC customer since the first contract in 1982 with new turnkey contracts and services along the way. A contract such as this with an established customer underlines BWSC’s strength as a leading EPC supplier and provider of the most efficient energy technology available in the market today. It marks the culmination of close collaboration between the customer and BWSC and demonstrates our ability to work anywhere in the world based on our experience and skills from the energy industry, our global presence, and the know-how of our approx. 700 employees" comments Anders Heine Jensen, CEO, BWSC.