The Fiji Electricity Authority plans to buy more generators.

This was confirmed by Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment, Infrastructure & Transport Parveen Bala during last week’s Parliament sitting.

He said the generators that are currently being used in the country are working thoroughly but there are plans to purchase more.

“FEA is working continuously towards preventing power outage by implementing an ongoing programme to replace aged assets, conduct regular inspection of the power system to ensure that failing assets are identified for replacement,” he said.

“Regular testing of the protection system to ensure they operate as required to protect the power system from the damages.”

Mr Bala acknowledged the commitment of the FEA employees with regards to working 24/7 to ensure that power is restored and failed systems are replaced.

“The public can assist to prevent power outage by ensuring trees on their properties are kept clean and well clear of power lines, not burning rubbish near power poles, taking care when driving to ensure they do not drive into power poles, keeping a lookout on the vandalism of power poles and checking the existence of underground power cables before carrying out excavation,” he said.

Mr Bala concluded saying people should not be overloading the FEA power system as it is illegal.

Causes of power outages

The FEA had established some reasons for power outages

Vandalisation of power poles

Accidents including power poles

Failure of assets

Lightning

Damage to the system due to natural disasters (floods, landslides and cyclones)

Overloading of circuits by customers

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