News summary: On Monday, July 10 there was a fire at the EDF plant in St Barts that produces electricity for the island. The fire was contained by firefighters, however there was a loss of capacity which resulted in rolling black outs on July 10 and 11. As of noon on July 12 EDF has restored power to all areas of the island.
Since last night, 100% of the homes in St. Barthélemy have been restored with electricity.
The solutions implemented to increase the power generation of the power plant and to limit consumption have allowed since July 11, 2023 at 21:00 to power the entire island: the five groups of the power plant produce a little more than 16 MW. EDF teams remain alert and mobilized as the situation evolves in the next few hours. Indeed, in the event of an increase in electricity demand, rotating loadshedding will be put in place to secure the electrical system of the island to avoid any widespread incidents.
EDF calls on the population to continue their efforts in controlling electricity consumption and recommends everyone to limit their electricity needs to strictly necessary including in companies and to disconnect superfluous electrical appliances. In order to limit material losses in case of a cut, here are some guidelines to follow:
In case of power outage. - EDF teams remain mobilized and will inform the population of the evolution of the situation in the coming hours and days.
Following the outbreak that occurred on July 10, 2023 at 10:30 am at the EDF central in Saint-Barthélemy, part of the island is still without electricity.
Of the 8 EDF power plants, four 2.5MW engines each were put back into service, covering 40% of the called electrical power.
Turning power outages are operated to ensure a power supply per neighborhood.
Regarding the prospects for improvement, technical expertise is underway to analyze the possibility of rebooting one of the 2 groups producing approximately 7.5 MW at the earliest. More reinforcements are on their way to the Island.
EDF teams are currently mobilizing all available production means to restore all customers as soon as possible.
In this context of crisis, everyone is asked to limit their electricity needs to strictly necessary, including companies and individuals. Unplug the superfluous devices to allow everyone to be fed.
To control electricity consumption, the President of the Territorial Council has, by a police stop of July 11, 2023, taken measures to temporarily restrict non-essential electricity uses and temporarily ban swimming pools by the public electricity network.
Article 2 of this decree states that all non-essential electrical appliances must be disconnected from the public power grid. In particular, all electrical equipment that works at lost money are prohibited (air conditioning in unoccupied villas in particular). Checks are in place and penal sanctions can be imposed against offenders.
The Community Hotel has been flipped over its electrogen group to be wiped out of the public electricity grid. The Community continues to reduce all non-essential
consumption (facades and public lighting in particular). Sports Infrastructure will be closed as of 7pm due to electrical issues. In connection with the Prefecture and EDF, the Community is ensuring to preserve the essential infrastructure of the island by installing, among other things, electrogen groups.
Arrangements have been made by the energy provider RUBIS to guarantee the island's fuel supply with the arrival of an oil tanker this Friday. Everyone is asked to control their energy consumption as best as possible and show solidarity. Social services are mobilized and available to the population to help vulnerable people.
In order to limit material losses in case of a cut, here are some guidelines to follow:
Case of power outage.
The device of Catnat wifi points open to the population was activated this morning by the Community in order to alleviate the difficulties in accessing telecommunication services it currently faces (cf. joint sheet).
POWER CUT OFF
Following the breakdown that occurred at 10H38 this morning in the EDF plant, electricity production in Saint-Barthélemy is weak and is at 10 MW, twice less important than the daily needs which culminate to about 22 MW per day.
EDF supplies Priority to sensitive sites (SIDEM, Hospital, EHPAD, Telecommunication networks... ). Thus, on the various "starting circuits" of electricity serving the island, only certain sectors of Gustavia and Public are currently powered to ensure the production of water and the operation of the island's essential and sensitive infrastructure.
The limited power currently available prevents the other "outbound circuits" of electricity (Tourterelle, Corossol, Saint-Jean and Gustavia) from being served at the same time, requiring the implementation of power outage.
These circuits will be fed in turns: 2 hours of feeding then 4 hours of unloading to allow other circuits to be fed.
These partially powered circuits are:
All the concerned parties (EDF, Community, State ... ) implement all means to increase the power delivered rapidly.
In order to enable everyone to be fed, everyone is asked to limit their electricity needs to strictly be necessary.
Individuals with a properly-maintained and functional power pack can “get off the grid” by using their power pack to release power to those without power packs. So far, there is no fuel supply difficulties.
In the interest of all, a reduced electricity consumption is expected from individuals as well as professionals.
Unplug all superfluous devices.
Thank you for your understanding.
Following the breakdown that occurred today at 10:30 am at the EDF central in Saint-Barthélemy, part of the island is currently without electricity.
Four 2.5 MW engines each could be put back into service, covering 40% of the called electricity power.
Turning power loadshedding are operated to ensure the safety of the electrical system.
EDF teams remain mobilized to reboot engines and restore all customers as soon as possible.
In this context, EDF recommends that everyone limit their electricity needs as strictly as necessary, including in businesses and unplug superfluous appliances.
In order to limit material losses in case of a cut, here are some guidelines to follow:
Case of power outage.
EDF teams will report on the situation evolving in the coming hours and days.
