PHILIPSBURG--Utilities company GEBE will move ahead this year to acquire a new
11-megawatt engine to bolster its capacity.
The intention is to acquire the new engine this year and have it commissioned in 2020, GEBE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenrick Chittick said on Tuesday. “Another engine is on schedule to be purchased this year and commissioned next year,” Chittick explained.
The company will be going on the market to secure financing for the purchase of the new engine. He said although GEBE can currently meet the electricity demands of the community, a new engine is necessary for the company to be more efficient as its large customers come back online and also so that older engines can be phased out. The intention is to secure the engine from one of the reliable manufacturers whether it is Wartsila, Caterpillar, Mitsubishi or another manufacturer.
In September 2016, a new 11.2-megawatt Wartsila engine (Diesel Generator 20) arrived in the country and was placed online in December of that same year. That generator replaced aged units that had been plaguing the company with increased maintenance at that time.
