By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC) has allayed the fears of residents in Bo that the fire incident at the Power Station has done no material damage to the existing power infrastructure.
This was made known through a press statement by EGTC on the 13th of April 2023 hours after the incident on the same day.
According to a report received by EGTC from the Head of the power station, the initial report stated the seriousness of the fire with huge flames billowing over the building.
The statement stated that preliminary information received by the company noted that the outbreak was due to the disposal of one of their obsolete MAN engines with associated auxiliaries from the Power Station. The disposal process was noted to have involved the removal of the foundational components of the machine which they said was successfully done to the frame of the engine.
The EGTC pointed out that, the frame could only be removed by using an acetylene burner to dismember it into smaller components for ease of carting it away. It was during that process of heating the engine frame that the high-temperature flame from the burner dropped into the waste discharge trench running by the side of the engine containing heavy fuel oil which ignited into a flame.
The statement said the preliminary report will have to be subjected to further confirmation from the Station Superintendent in Bo and to be corroborated by an expert preferably the National Fire Force stationed in Bo that would guide the next line of action.
The rationale for the disposal of the only MAN Engine at the power station was to make available space for the installation of the standby 6MW thermal diesel generator to provide complementary electricity whenever TRANSCO CLSG 225 KV Transmission Line goes down for either maintenance or on-fault shutdown.
South-East Regional Head of Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), Engineer George Seiya whilst talking to press men noted that the Powerhouse where the fire incident took place has old generators as well as Medium Voltage (MV) panel and a control room.
He said the incident was serious because the particular facility houses a major distribution system, as losing the MV and low voltage panels will disrupt the supply of electricity in the township.
Ing. Seiya went on to say that the cause of the fire is still under investigation and after it is concluded they will inform the public.
He apologized to customers of Bo since it only affected their township and asked them to be patient, assuring the public that they will take a few days to connect the new control room to the new grid, noting that once that interconnection was done, the power supply will be restored.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (14/04/23)
