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Since the two main generators at EDF’s Public power plant were shut down on October 20, the electricity supply has been partially provided by eleven backup generators connected to the grid. EDF Archipel Guadeloupe management has announced that three more generators will arrive in the coming days.
The situation remains extremely tense on the island’s power grid. Since October 20 and the outage that occurred on one of the two main generators at the EDF Public power plant—the G7—Saint Barthélemy has been surviving on a limited energy supply. The outage, combined with the maintenance shutdown of the plant’s other “major” generator, the G8, has necessitated the importation of several backup generators. For the record, the G7 and G8 each have a generation capacity of 8 MW. Eleven backup generators are currently connected to the grid via transformers located throughout the island’s neighborhoods, from Saint-Jean to Vitet, including Grand Fond and Anse des Cayes. EDF Archipel Guadeloupe management states that three additional backup generators are scheduled to arrive on the island before November 24 to “further strengthen the power supply security measures.” At the same time, some questions remain unanswered.
Is the G8 still scheduled to be brought back online this week?
Yes, says EDF management. The final steps required to bring it back online are underway, and it should be restarted sometime this week. “However, we remain cautious until the final tests have been conducted, as this type of operation may still require last-minute technical adjustments,” EDF emphasizes.
What is the status of repairs to the G7 unit?
EDF explains that work is continuing. Some of the teams that were working on the G8 are now assigned to this unit to speed up operations.
In addition, EDF management indicates that the backup generators will remain on the island after the G8 is back online.
What is the level of electricity consumption? Have high peaks been recorded, as was the case last week?
Electricity consumption remains high on the island, ranging between 22 and 24 MW, according to EDF management, which reiterates its call for energy conservation, which “remains as relevant as ever to reduce pressure on the power grid and preserve available safety margins.”
What are the current fuel requirements to operate the backup generators and the power plant’s engines?
The power plant’s generators have sufficient fuel reserves to operate, EDF assures, adding that it maintains constant communication with the operator Rubis to ensure the ongoing availability of the fuel supplies needed to run the power generation facilities and backup generators. Last week, Pierre-Yves Gillot, EDF’s manager for Saint Martin and Saint Barth, told the JSB that the largest emergency generators consume about 70 liters of fuel per hour.
What is the status of the six oldest generators at the Public power plant?
“The six oldest generators have indeed been used more frequently since the start of the crisis to help balance the power grid,” explains EDF management. “Their proper operation helps minimize the impact on customers. Minor maintenance is performed on these units outside of peak hours.” According to our information, one of these “old” units broke down last week. This led to power outages and load shedding, particularly at the Sidem drinking water treatment plant.
How many staff members have arrived on the island to assist EDF’s local teams? What are their areas of expertise?
Since the start of the crisis, EDF has mobilized significant personnel reinforcements to support local teams both on-site and remotely, particularly for logistics and technical expertise. Ten EDF employees have traveled to the island from Saint Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Corsica to bolster local power generation and grid operations. They are primarily involved in mechanical maintenance and the operation of generators. In addition to these employees, eighteen employees from contractor firms have been mobilized for the ongoing operations. In total, nearly twenty-eight additional people have been brought in to support the approximately forty EDF employees already present in Saint-Barthélemy.
Water, electricity—same struggle: from overconsumption to empty reservoirs
For three nights in a row, in the middle of last week, Public’s drinking water treatment plant suffered a power outage. As a result, the motors shut down. This came at a particularly bad time, given that water production and consumption—at the start of the season and according to a technician—are “unprecedented” in Saint Barth. “We’ve broken every record,” he adds. Consumption was so high that, in just a few hours, the Colombier and Vitet reservoirs were emptied. Is identifying and notifying those who are overconsuming the solution? With more than 500 sites affected, it seems difficult to implement. Filling swimming pools and cisterns—certain behaviors do not align with the conservation required under current circumstances. Meanwhile, technicians from Sidem, EDF, and Saur are working around the clock to ensure that the island’s water and electricity supplies remain stable.
A Fuel Delivery
On Sunday, November 8, a tanker carrying fuel delivered its cargo to the commercial port of Public. This resupply is essential given current consumption levels—particularly to power the emergency generators on a daily basis.
