Bimini (BPL) Generators Destroyed By Fire

[Bruce]

These generators provide the power for both islands. I hope that they will be replaced quickly but suspect this could become an issue for the trips planned this year and will certainly cause difficulty for the locals.

The second video suggests that it will take a year to replace the power plant and that “load sharing” will occur until then. I assume that means that power will be available for part of the day.

@Bimini

 

[Amar Nanduri]

Wow. I wonder what caused them to blow up.

 

[Julian]

Gonna have to keep an eye on this....perhaps bring a small generator and some fans?

But if the power is off a lot....refrigerator will be an issue.....

 

[bronze_10]

And food.... and fuel...

 

[Amar Nanduri]

The chitter bugs will have a field day for sure.

 

[Speedling]

Man that's not gonna be any fun for a while. Lady in one video says it was less than 10 years old. That means the older plant gets worked hard and how long will that last? Think about how long a project takes here in the states much less on a small island especially a power plant.
What type of plant is it? Fuel source?

 

[bronze_10]

Diesel I think...

 

[bronze_10]

She said in the video they have trailers that can help but they cant power everything.

 

[Speedling]

Diesel I think...

I did a little digging and saw that like 95% of bahamas has diesel generators.
May be a good time for some resorts and marinas to repower with wind or solar but worried that hurricane winds would be more costly then. Maybe rooftop solar panels tied to a grid at marina? No clue what that would cost but if the island is out and you are the only fuel source...

 

[Mike & Lilly]

These generators provide the power for both islands. I hope that they will be replaced quickly but suspect this could become an issue for the trips planned this year and will certainly cause difficulty for the locals.

The second video suggests that it will take a year to replace the power plant and that “load sharing” will occur until then. I assume that means that power will be available for part of the day.

@Bimini

Sad

 

[LayneG]

I just called Hilton, they have power and said there was a fire at the power plant but it was not a total loss and that 75% of the island still has power.

 

[justason]

that is no doubt a major issue ...an will be lengthy... Any idea if resort world has its own backup generators?. I'm thinking probably not.

That island has had its better days no doubt....

 

[Bruce]

I just called Hilton, they have power and said there was a fire at the power plant but it was not a total loss and that 75% of the island still has power.

I do not believe that to be accurate.

 

[Bruce]

that is no doubt a major issue ...an will be lengthy... Any idea if resort world has its own backup generators?. I'm thinking probably not.

That island has had its better days no doubt....

There have been times that residential portions of Bimini have been powered down to support the AC at Resorts World. So
I would guess that the do not have their one generators.

I understand that the BPL staff had been recently replaced resulting in almost daily power outages before the fire.

 

[LayneG]

I just spoke to Big Game Club, they said they are alternating power between areas for several hours at a time until it's fully restored. With that being said, looks like what Hilton told me wasn't accurate.

 

[Bruce]

Here is a news article on the fire

BPL Bimini Power Station blows up tonight plunging the island into darkness | Bahamaspress.com

bahamaspress.com

 

[Bruce]

@LayneG, there is a single power plant location for north and south Bimini. It also was the storage for the diesel for the generators. With that location destroyed it will be a long time before power is fully restored.

My understanding is that smaller trailer mounted generators will provide power for a few hours a day to each area of the island. Hopefully there will be enough power on N Bimini to pump water but it is expected that water will be an issue on S Bimini.

Fuel supply is likely to become an issue for locations with their own generators as the fuel boats take days to come when called and much diesel intended for electricity was likely lost to the fire.

Personally I would not disturb too many Bimini residents. They are working to handle this situation in their own lives and there will be plenty of reporting of conditions on social media.

 

[Mainah]

This is not good for anyone planning a trip there this year. More so this is awful for those that reside there. A/C and refrigeration systems run at nearly 100% duty cycle during the day to keep up. Fuel pumps, water systems, sewage systems, and communication systems all require power. Add to that human nature and behind the scenes jockeying of the big resort owners. Won’t be pleasant there for quite a while.

 

[Bruce]

Official word from BPL although I suspect that “to carry the load that is currently on the island” is the most important quote.

Two BPL engines damaged in Bimini fire - The Nassau Guardian

Two of the engines at Bahamas Power and Light’s (BPL) Bimini facility were damaged in last night’s fire, according to BPL CEO Whitney Heastie who visited the facility today to conduct a preliminary assessment. The fire, which started around 9 p.m. on Monday, was extinguished …

thenassauguardian.com

 

[Bruce]

Secondhand word from the island is that "The message that came out this morning was that they lost 9 mega watts and can supply 3, for now. All have power for now but we will likely be going onto planned rotational outages. Thanks to all who were able to help and much gratitude that everyone is safe."