Frequent power cuts affecting businesses, hospital services on Tanna

January 25, 2024 3:04 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Anita Roberts.

A successful businessman on Tanna, Bill Iapson, has urged the Government to look into the reliability of VanPawa, a subsidiary of the Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF), following frequent power cuts on the island.

He stressed that the sudden power cuts have been occurring since VanPawa took over electricity concession operations from the government last year.

He said at first they understood that a new utility company was taking over responsibilities, but then the power cuts become more frequent.

The businessman said some of his electrical appliances have malfunctioned and a camera in his shop is no longer working due to the power disruptions.

He said frozen food, such as fish and ice cream in his shop at Lenakel Town are usually spoilt following the loss of power.

TAFEA Public Health Manager, Lolyne Jeremiah, said the hospital staff at Lenakel Hospital are tired of experiencing a handful of power cuts during a day, and waiting up to one to two hours to be restored.

She said they are unable to work during power cuts. She said it is a challenge for them as it continuously disrupts their activities and any files they are storing will be lost when their computers shut down unexpectedly.

Manager Jeremiah said sudden power losses are very risky during emergency operations and for severe cases who need oxygen powered by electricity.

She feared that the unexpected power cuts can affect the hospital’s vaccine storage. She said medical freezers and x-ray machines are expensive to be imported from abroad and it usually takes longer to acquire one.

She added their standby generator is not working.

Meanwhile, Acting General Manager (GM) of VNPF, Richard Edwin, said VanPawa could not notify customers because the power cuts were unplanned.

He said VanPawa has brought technicians from abroad and are expected to travel to Tanna today (Thursday) to install new generators. They will also install a new generator for Malekula concession.

Edwin said there were issues with the old generators, thus the new generators will be able to meet consumption demand and stablise power.

There were no notices because the interuptions were unplanned, he said.

The Acting GM urged households connected to the grid to help keep areas where power lines are run free from physical barriers, such as fallen trees or branches.

He assured VanPawa has the technical capacity to run the electricity operation.