BVIEC Enhances Power Stability with Innovative Live-Line
The BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) has marked a significant advancement in its maintenance operations with the successful execution of live-line maintenance, minimizing service interruptions. This initiative follows the completion of a specialized 12-week Live-Line Training Programme, equipping linesmen with the skills to perform maintenance without cutting power to customers.
In a move that promises to significantly reduce power outages and improve service reliability, the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) has successfully implemented another live-line maintenance operation, showcasing the newly acquired skills of its linesmen. On September 3, 2025, at Pockwood Pond, linesmen demonstrated their ability to conduct complex maintenance tasks on energized lines, a capability gained through the corporation's inaugural Live-Line Training Programme.
The operation involved meticulous work on two feeders, Pockwood Pond West and Pockwood Pond East, to address issues with switches and redistribute the load more efficiently. Linesman Shaquille Samuel, a graduate of the training program, highlighted the benefits of this approach, noting that it allows for maintenance without disrupting the power supply, thereby avoiding inconvenience to customers.
This method of maintenance is not only a technical achievement but also a customer service improvement, as it eliminates the uncertainty and discomfort of power outages. The live-line maintenance work at Pockwood Pond is just one of several such operations following the linesmen's completion of a rigorous 12-week course facilitated by Tim Self, a renowned expert in powerline safety and training from the United States.
The introduction of live-line maintenance is a testament to BVIEC's commitment to adopting innovative practices that enhance the reliability and efficiency of power supply in the British Virgin Islands. With four linesmen already trained and capable of performing these high-skill operations, the corporation is set to continue improving its service delivery, ensuring that residents and businesses experience minimal disruptions.
This advancement is particularly relevant for the BVI community, which relies heavily on consistent and reliable power for daily operations and economic activities. Such initiatives by the BVIEC not only enhance operational capabilities but also demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing the infrastructural challenges faced by the islands, paving the way for a more resilient and dependable power system.
Primary source: VINO