Electricity supply in Linden is expected to improve by the middle of next week, following the installation of a new 1.5-megawatt (MW) portable generating unit at Bosai’s power facility.
The generator has already arrived at the Linden site, and technical crews are carrying out the work required to connect it to the existing system. This includes installing the necessary transformer connections and completing the fuel-line setup before the unit can be commissioned.
The development was communicated to the Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, during discussions with Bosai’s Linden management, as the government intensified efforts to meet the growing electricity demand in Region 10.
Linden’s current electricity requirement has risen to approximately 15.1MW, while available generation is about 14MW. This shortfall has placed additional pressure on the local power system, particularly during peak periods.
The new portable generator forms part of a broader strategy being pursued by the government, in collaboration with Bosai, the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc. (HECI), and other stakeholders, to increase generation capacity in Linden rapidly.
Earlier this week, Minister Indar announced that HECI and Bosai had reached an arrangement to add up to 3MW of additional generation at the Bosai facility. Government officials have also been working with mining companies to identify generating equipment that can be temporarily deployed to the region.
Among the measures under consideration is the planned relocation of three 1MW generating sets from a manganese operation in Port Kaituma to Linden. The initiative reflects the government’s efforts to utilise existing generation equipment within the mining sector to meet the immediate electricity needs of Region 10.
Minister Indar said discussions had taken place with several mining companies as part of the search for additional capacity.
The pressure on Linden’s electricity network has been most noticeable during the two daily peak-demand periods. These occur between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., and again from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
To help manage consumption during these periods, the government has also been engaging with major electricity users, including sawmill operators, to encourage them to reschedule some of their activities to non-peak hours.
Once the 1.5MW unit is fully connected and operational, it will immediately add generating capacity to the Linden system. The government’s broader efforts, including the planned deployment of additional generating sets, are expected to strengthen the supply position further and ease pressure on the existing network.
The interventions are intended to ensure a more reliable electricity supply for households, businesses and other consumers across Linden as demand continues to rise.