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Archive -Seychelles

Work to boost electricity distribution network in southern region well underway |07 June 2018

Work to install 33kv transmission lines to reinforce electricity distribution network in the southern region of Mahé is well underway, the PUC has said.

Yesterday morning the managing director for electricity at the PUC, Ravin Sunassee, updated the local press on the ongoing work to install the new 33kv transmission lines along the southeastern and southwestern regions of Mahé up to Port Launay.

Reinforcing the network is paramount faced with the continued increase in demand for electricity. It includes installing three new underground circuits from Roche Caiman up to the Turtle Bay junction, via Montagne Posée Road up to Anse Boileau and via Anse Royale up to Anse Boileau with a series of substations along the way – at Providence, Turtle Bay, Anse Royale, Quatre Bornes, Baie Lazare, Anse Boileau and Port Launay. Once all the substations have been built and in operation, Mr Sunassee said, the old Anse Boileau substation will be pulled down to be replaced by the new one.

“The advantages of the reinforcement will be that other than the existing overhead lines, three new circuits are being added to feed all of southern Mahé,” Mr Sunassee explained.

He said reinforcing the network will reduce power cuts, fewer consumers will be affected in the event of planned maintenance shutdowns and sudden power failures.

The 18-month project which is costing the PUC US $31.5m, started in January this year and is expected to be completed mid next year.

As installing the cables underground comprises a lot of digging which can cause a lot of inconvenience for traffic and pedestrians especially in areas where the roads are narrow, Mr Sunassee is asking the public and motorists for their cooperation and understanding.

In some cases way leave from property owners whose land borders the roadside where the installations are taking place can be a problem, Mr Sunassee said and this could delay the project.

“People should give us their cooperation to help us complete the project which when completed will bring them lots of benefits,” Mr Sunassee explained.

At present, around 30% of the project is almost completed and equipment and material required for the project are arriving in the country on schedule.

Yesterday the press also visited the site at Roche Caiman where all the power cables and the two power transformers that will be installed in the Providence substation which is nearing completion are being stored.

Mr Sunassee said the material and equipment have been imported from the Czech Republic, Turkey, India and Finland.

He added that PUC personnel have visited those countries to assess and certified the material and equipment before approval.

Also yesterday the press visited the Providence substation work on which is well underway. The substation is situated near the Providence roundabout and it will include an adjacent customer service centre where consumers from the region of Providence, Petit Paris, Brillant, Cascade up to the airport can pay their utility bills and lodge any complaints regarding PUC services.

Mr Sunassee noted that the PUC is also putting in place a customer service centre at Anse Royale and Anse Boileau.

“The aim is to decentralise the PUC services and facilitate consumers and will reduce pressure on the PUC customer services in the town area,” Mr Sunassee said. 

 

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