Guernsey Press

Electricity boss defends new engine as 'the quiet one'

ELECTRICITY customers will foot the bill if Environmental Health upholds complaints about noise at the power station, according to the utility's managing director.

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ELECTRICITY customers will foot the bill if Environmental Health upholds complaints about noise at the power station, according to the utility's managing director.

However, Alan Bates, pictured, stressed the company did not yet know whether there was a problem with the current sound levels and if any work was needed.

Neighbours have been complaining about noise levels recently, claiming that the nuisance was being caused by the new £14m. generator.

But Mr Bates said that, although the new engine has not yet met the noise level specified in its contract with the supplier, it was actually the quietest of the generators.

It is also not in full-time use, with Mr Bates saying it was being run only occasionally to test methods the supplier had been implementing to try and reduce the noise.

Guernsey Electricity confirmed that engine supplier Wartsila would pick up the cost of any remedial work to the new generator, which is in the D station at the site. It will also have to pay compensation for the delay in getting it up and running.

But Mr Bates acknowledged the States-owned utility would have to pay for any work to reduce noise that is not connected to the new engine.

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