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After the passing of powerful Category 5 Hurricane Irma through several Islands in the Caribbean on September 6, 2017, the Island of Anguilla was devastated and with a total power outage. The local power producer Anguilla Electricity Company (ANGLEC), equipped with Wartsila engines, was in clear need of support, and fast.

Wärtsilä Caribbean, based in Puerto Rico, was in quick contact with customer to assess the situation and plan the next steps within the new challenge of arriving to an airport closed to commercial flights.  It was decided to send E&A Superintendent Niko Puutio from Dominican Republic, and Superintendent Alfonso Morales from Puerto Rico, a joint effort of Technical Services and Field Service. The team arrived to Anguilla on private charter on September 15. Our goal in Wartsila was to work hand in hand with customer to re-energize critical areas in Anguilla, free of cost.

As soon as the team arrived, the devastation of infrastructure all over the Island was evident. While the Island was in total blackout our team met with Anglec’s experts to evaluate the priorities, and these were to power the main Hospital, and the Valley (to support police stations and small businesses).

Anglec’s Corito Power Station suffered significant damages in structure and most of the equipment had water that had to be dried, to include Generators and the Medium Voltage cabinets. The entire installation was inspected and the teams worked tirelessly until starting a unit already by September 18.

Few days later the Hospital and other critical areas were energized. The grid still in weak conditions was not stable to hold the full power from the main engines, but the main goal was achieved. Anguilla’s power line infrastructure took a heavy hit by Hurricane Irma and it will be a long recovery. We trust to continue to work together with Anguilla as Caribbean islanders do in times of crisis, hand on hand.

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