Asset Retirement Project
Project Updates
ARP Update 1
The demolition contractor, Manafort Brother Inc. (MBI), has started to mobilise on-site commencing the project at B26 and has now received the Demolition Permit from the Department of Planning, which will allow the project to proceed as planned. MBI will be installing temporary rope barricades prior to the installation of speed fencing. These barricades are being erected around the demolition areas to signal “no entry” to un-authorised personnel.
Over the next four weeks, the project team will be working on the following:
- Establish project boundaries
- Arrival of equipment for demolition
- Establishing office areas in the Training Centre
- Interior building cleanouts
- Oil & fluid draining
- ACM abatement in B5 pending Government approval
- B5 Warehouse 2 demolition beginning October 15 following successful ACM removal
Initially our neighbours and passers by can expect very little disturbances or project visibility. Disturbances within the first period of this four-week look ahead will be limited to increased trucking within the surrounding plant area as we properly dispose of waste. However, the demolition of the Warehouse 2 building in mid-October will result in our neighbours and passers by experiencing the following disturbances:
- Demolition noise from construction equipment – mitigated to daytime production hours only (ie 7am to 4pm)
- Localised airbourne dust – mitigated by mist mechanism and stockpile covers
- Increase of trucking to remove building materials –mitigated by flag men on Cemetery Road while trucks enter and exit the demolition site
With the installation of our more efficient North Power Station (operational since March 2020) and the Battery Energy Storage System (operational since March 2019) (referred to as the “Replacement Generation”), we have been able to retire a multitude of assets that have reached the end of their useful lives. Most of the retired assets were decommissioned in November 2020, however, Engine GT4 was decommissioned in December 2018, Engine D15 was decommissioned in 2014, Engine D2 was decommissioned in 2009, Engine GT2 was decommissioned around 1992 and Engine D7 was decommissioned in the 1990s.
Our retired and newly retired assets, in addition to the need for a site clean-up, the safety concerns of the old buildings, the future requirements of diversifying our energy sources and a change in accounting principles (Canadian GAAP to IFRS) were the impetus behind initiating the planning process for the ARP in 2014. Over the course of the next year, the project will see the removal of hazardous materials, demolition of unsafe buildings, dismantling and safe disposal of materials and machines no longer in operation, along with the disentanglement of systems that need to stay in operation from those that have been decommissioned.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to address any required abatement of hazardous materials and remove, demolish and dispose of retired assets; in addition to, the buildings and structures related to the Generating Assets that are no longer required.
The project will take place at BELCO’s Serpentine Road Campus and will consist of the following three parts:
- Removal and abatement of hazardous materials
- Removal of the Generating Assets
- Demolition of related buildings
Project Benefits
The ARP planning has been in progress for many years and will realise the following financial and environmental benefits for the company and the country:
- General environmental cleanup and well being
- Increase in aesthetic appeal of the area
- Ultimate remediation of soil and groundwater to local cleanup standards
- Increased site safety for the team
- Creation of roughly four acres of usable space
- Modernisation of workshops resulting in the streamlining of Bulk Generation maintenance and operations
- Proper, and environmentally friendly, disposal of retired assets and materials – materials will be separated and recycled overseas
- Removal of hazardous materials from the premises with proper disposal at a registered facility
Asset Retirement Project Map
What to Expect
Throughout the project, disturbances will impact the neighbours of the plant and passers by only and will vary depending on the works being carried out at the time. We will post monthly updates with a four-week look ahead, which will provide information on the specific disturbances to expect within that period. However, the most likely disturbances the public can expect are dust, noise and increased truck traffic.
Project Team
Matthew Thompson, Environmental Engineer (iEPC Ltd.)
Gerald Saltus, Electrical Engineering Technician BG (BELCO)
Ian Finnerty, Field Operations Lead TD&R (BELCO)
Andrew Rothwell, OHSE Coordinator (BELCO)
Giselle Hudson, Principal Engineer (BELCO)
I am beyond happy to be a part of such a mammoth project that will result in a clean, fresh site that will enable us to create a space that fits the future needs of the Liberty Group and ultimately Bermuda. Removing engines that were installed in the 1970s, some of which have not been run since the 1990s, that are housed in a building that was erected at the turn of the last century feels extremely historic and I am honoured to play a part in this step which will move our country closer to our goal of a sustainable energy future.
The Asset Retirement Project is a significant and historic project for our Company and Bermuda. It marks tangible progress in our transition from a traditional, fossil-fuel powered utility to a renewable, sustainable energy company. There are many benefits the Company will realise once this project is complete but perhaps most importantly is the removal of old hazardous materials and environmental remediation that will mark a significant improvement in greening the BELCO site. I look forward to this project moving forward and being completed and thank the neighbouring community and public for their understanding and patience as this work is carried out. We are well and truly on our journey to build Bermuda’s clean, renewable energy future!
Have Your Say
We want to hear from you. If you have any concerns, comments or suggestions please contact us.