When it rains it pours, they say, and that certainly goes for St. Maarten’s deepening energy crisis. Load-shedding has become more frequent and longer since last week. Caretaker Prime Minister Luc Mercelina (see related story) confirmed that four of utilities provider GEBE’s 10 engines are currently down.
With a peak demand of 57 megawatts, in total 25 megawatts were lost since May, of which 11 in the past two weeks alone. Thankfully the containerised generators will produce 10 megawatts – as now reported – by the end of this week at the latest.
Under these circumstances power cuts may continue until the second batch of containerised generators provide another 20 megawatts in October. This could be avoided if they manage to fix broken engines before then.
The approach of what is likely to be Tropical Storm Ernesto when it moves through the local area only adds to an already nervy situation, on top of the recent crime situation and looming elections. The good news is that there are consequently plenty of law enforcement boots on the ground.
Nevertheless, people should take this weather threat seriously and do what they can to prepare. Schools have not reopened according to schedule today, Monday, out of an abundance of caution.
The cyclone is expected to pass nearest to the island at 30 miles to the south Tuesday evening. No matter how you look at it, that’s way too close for comfort.
