DOMLEC investigating massive power outage

DOMLEC’s crew in action. Photo: Facebook

Dominica Electricity Services (DOMLEC) has said it is investigating a power outage on Wednesday September 6th, which left the majority of the island without electricity.

PRO of the company Adina Bellot-Valentine told state-owned DBS Radio that around 11:45 am the power plant at Fond Cole went off, leaving most of the island from Tibay, in the north down to the south without electricity.

“We have been working feverishly to find out what the problem [is] that caused the power outage,” she said. “Investigations are going on at this time.”

She said the company realized the importance of having power and some restorations were quickly done with the west coast and some areas in Roseau back on the grid.

“It has quite a way to go and it is going to take some time to be able to restore power,” Bellot-Valentine said.

She stated the company still has not identified the fault and that the process of restoration will take some time.

“So we are putting on little by little the communities that are out of power and so we really want to implore the patience of our customers,” she said.

Bellot-Valentine noted that “it is not a good thing” to lose power, especially following the passage of Hurricane Irma but promised that the company is working to get things back in order.

“I can tell the customers that we are all at the Fond Cole plant and the investigations are continuing, the technicians are there working feverishly to find out what occurred and we are happy that we have started to do some restoration and that will continue throughout the afternoon so we can get everybody back on,” she said.

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9 Comments

  1. NKRUMAH KWAME
    September 7, 2017

    This was most probably the effects of a solar storm. According to NASA one occurred yesterday with a strength of X9, nine times as powerful as that of 2006.
    HOTEP!

  2. anonymous2
    September 7, 2017

    What else is new? Just the way of life on DA.

  3. Let The Truth Be Known - Original
    September 6, 2017

    Two important necessities are electricity and water. It is expected if a hurricane/storm hits, be it the wings, loss of power and water will be experienced.
    A few years ago Ontario had an ice storm. The majority of people in certain areas had no electricity and also water; some later for months. The wires were frozen and some trees fell on them which damaged them.
    Imagine that in a big country/city. This occurred around 9:30 pm, on a Saturday evening, the week prior to Christmas. What a time, in winter and before Christmas for this to occur. It was like a punishment. :) The Church had no electricity for a few days. Since then it has a generator. Candles had to be lit. Christmas celebrations indoors for most people were nil. Some could not prepare a Christmas dinner. What a year and end of year it was. We survived!
    I had just returned from the store. Imagine those who were stuck in the store, in traffic, etc., who had difficulty getting get home.

  4. Let The Truth Be Known - Original
    September 6, 2017

    The roads/streets were icy and dangerous to drive and to walk on. Thank God I was indoors. Actually, that night I took a taxi to return for the street was already icy.
    Those who were affected suffered a bit with no lights and water. I always ensure that my residence has some water; even worst after this ice storm. Since it was winter, some of us were freezing indoors for a few days. When the lights were restored we were elated. You know the saying, you never miss the water ’til the well run dry.
    Some people had generators, if they continued to operate under that circumstance. Some people lit BBQ grills in their home. A few were asphyxiated due to the fumes. We were warned about that.
    Imagine also not being able to boil water for a cup of coffee. Those who managed to go out went to MacDonald’s and Tim Horton’s near by. These had generators. I heard the line-ups were long in that cold and icy areas. This is when fast food outlets come in handy. :)

  5. Let The Truth Be Known - Original
    September 6, 2017

    In summer of that year, the authorities decided to drill holes to place the wires underground. Since then, in this area, we have not had any power outage. Of course, we have not yet experienced at least one. The test will come if we experience at least a bad one.
    I noticed in areas of the city where this was not done, there are constant power ages which affect thousands of people.
    We reside in a time that hurricanes/storms are becoming more frequent and ferocious. I state this because DOMLEC experienced a power outage. This also occurs when it is raining heavily. The telephones do not operate properly.
    DOMLEC could consider placing its wires underground. However, I realize this may be impossible for now anyway, due to Dominica’s infrastructure. I also realize it would cost DOMLEC billions of dollars to do so throughout the island. If you ever consider this, commence in the main areas as Roseau and outlying areas and when funds permit in other areas.

  6. Missie
    September 6, 2017

    I’m quite sure it’s one of the colussal nasty-sounding diesel machines. That’s a lot of wasted time that could have been better spent just simply maintaining hydro power plant that they neglected due to no requirement in the lifetime contract they were handed for a few dollars. Shame!

  7. Stop it
    September 6, 2017

    Thank you. Take your time to figure things out. I rather stay without lights for a few hours than for days. We know you are doing your best. Hope all works out well and it is not anything serious.

    • Missie
      September 6, 2017

      I get the sarcasm.

    • Let The Truth Be Known - Original
      September 7, 2017

      Thank God D/ca is a tropical island. These are times to remember those days. You can easily cook the food outside in a coal pot and boil some water. Remember when most houses did not have electricity throughout the island. Nationals used lamps. At least you still have clean water and in the tap and shower.
      Then they did not have a radio,TV, computer and internet service, etc. People were kinder, friendlier and more respectful then. They lived as a loving community, helping each other when they were in need. These times help us to remember and revert to those days when we lived without technology.
      Much to be grateful for. Thank God for small mercies which are indeed great mercies and also D/ca was spared from the force of Hurricane Irma.
      Google The Three Days Darkness. When it happens (if in our lifetime) everyone will go back to the land. They will be happy to eat the local vegetables, fruits and drink the water of the local fruits; not imported ones.

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