$1.3 billion electricity upgrade

Over the next five years, the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission is expected to upgrade its electricity service at a cost of $1.3 billion, according to corporate communications manager, Dennis Mc Comie.  The upgrade, which was initiated earlier this year, is expected to enhance the reliability of the electricity grid, Mc Comie said. “The upgrade commenced with the Cascade/Santa Cruz Line and, at present, has continued to the Mt Pleasant/Diego Martin Line,” he said. He added that other projects include the full implementation of the commission’s automatic Meter Reading System  and the expansion of power quality monitoring, hotline work and distribution automation.

“The upgrade and development of the Port-of-Spain underground network is another crucial project which is well into its planning stages,” he said. Asked yesterday about the frequent power outages in several parts of Trinidad, especially in Diego Martin, Mc Comie cited faulty cables as the reason for the “unplanned” and “planned” outages. He emphasised, however, that some of the cables have already been repaired and “the situation has been stabilised,”  He gave the assurance that technical crews are continuously working to improve electricity to these residents. As to reimbursing those seriously affected by the outages and whose electrical equipment has been damaged, Mc Comie said, “Once TTEC is found liable following the accountable and transparent process that it presently obtains, customers with legitimate claims will be compensated by TTEC.”