Three of four large generators that were off-line over the weekend, prompting load shedding that cut power to thousands of homes across New Providence, have been repaired a week before originally anticipated.

According to a press release issued by the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) repairs to the fourth generator are underway.

"Consistent with our earlier advisories that we expected full stabilization of the generation situation to be achieved by the end of June, it is anticipated that the fourth generator with a capacity of 26.5 megawatts will be returned to service by Monday."

The release added that work is also underway to improve the output of other generators which are presently in service but not operating at full capacity.

"The present generation availability is 251.9 megawatts and the demand is 225 megawatts, providing a spare capacity of 26.9 megawatts," it stated.

"When returned to service the fourth generator will increase the spare capacity to in excess of 50 megawatts, or about 20 percent anticipated peak summer demand."

The corporation also apologized to customers in the Stapledon Gardens and Thompson Boulevard areas who experienced outages on Wednesday. BEC management said those outages were sparked by planned maintenance in the area.

On Monday The Nassau Guardian revealed that BEC's financial woes have made it difficult for the corporation to properly maintain its generators.

The state-run entity's General Manager Kevin Basden said the run-down state of BEC's equipment had triggered widespread blackouts and more could be on the way. Basden blamed BEC's current financial state on its 2003 rate reductions.

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts has also weighed in on the recent blackouts and statements made by Basden.

Roberts, who had ministerial oversight of BEC, pointed out that Basden was the GM when the rate decrease was approved.

BEC's financial woes have been well documented in recent months, with Basden estimating the corporation's 2009 losses at around $20 million.

BEC is looking for a five percent rate increase this summer. Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham recently told The Guardian that this rate increase is unavoidable; however, the government has not yet formally announced its approval.

As for the corporation's more immediate goals, BEC's management said in the short-term the corporation will continue looking at ways to increase its service and reliability.

"BEC's management wishes to express thanks and appreciation to customers for their patience and understanding during the recent challenges," said the statement.

"Customers are assured that in spite of continuing financial limitations, great effort and focus are being placed on improved delivery of service in the short and long term - increased generation availability and improved reliability among other things."

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian