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Increase in damage to electrical infrastructure by heavy equipment operators- BVIEC

- Urges heavy equipment operators & owners to contact BVIEC before working near its infrastructure
The BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) is pleading with heavy equipment operators, contractors, companies and private individuals to contact the corporation before carrying out work near its electrical infrastructure, both above-ground and underground. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
Transmission and Distribution Engineer at BVIEC, Mr Leroy L. Abraham said the direct appeal to operators is in an effort to stop taking unnecessary risks and to seek guidance before starting work, adding that the recent increase in incidents is a serious concern, particularly because of the potential consequences. Photo: BVIEC
Transmission and Distribution Engineer at BVIEC, Mr Leroy L. Abraham said the direct appeal to operators is in an effort to stop taking unnecessary risks and to seek guidance before starting work, adding that the recent increase in incidents is a serious concern, particularly because of the potential consequences. Photo: BVIEC
LONG BUSH, Tortola, VI - The BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) is pleading with heavy equipment operators, contractors, companies and private individuals to contact the corporation before carrying out work near its electrical infrastructure, both above-ground and underground.

According to a press release, the BVIEC’s appeal follows several incidents, including cases as recent as last week, where the actions of a heavy equipment operator resulted in damage to BVIEC infrastructure. In some instances, these incidents have led to service disruptions affecting customers.

The release added that the frequent and alarming increase in these occurrences has been observed and urged those who may be operating heavy equipment to take the necessary precautions before beginning any work near electrical lines, poles, transformers, underground cables, or other related infrastructure.

Heavy equipment operators include, but are not limited to, persons operating cranes, hymacs, backhoes, cement trucks, pump trucks and other large machinery.

Any uncertainty, contact BVIEC

BVIEC reminded the public that its infrastructure carries high-voltage electricity, which can be deadly if it comes into contact with equipment, objects or persons. 

The company cautioned that contact with electrical infrastructure can result in serious injury, loss of life, extensive damage to equipment and property, and interruption of electricity service to surrounding communities.

Transmission and Distribution Engineer at BVIEC, Mr Leroy L. Abraham, said, “We are pleading with heavy equipment operators to contact BVIEC before working near our infrastructure. If there is any uncertainty about where our underground cables are located, or whether your equipment may come too close to overhead lines, please call us before proceeding.”

Abraham said this direct appeal to operators is in an effort to stop taking unnecessary risks and to seek guidance before starting work, adding that the recent increase in incidents is a serious concern, particularly because of the potential consequences.

12 Responses to “Increase in damage to electrical infrastructure by heavy equipment operators- BVIEC”

  • musa (12/06/2026, 13:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good planning
  • asking for a friend (12/06/2026, 14:15) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    What’s new here
  • The watchdog (12/06/2026, 14:59) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lock them up and fine them
  • great (12/06/2026, 18:30) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    If anyone including the power company knows where they buried it!
  • facts (13/06/2026, 06:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    They are destroying the roads as well
  • Nothing Nee (13/06/2026, 09:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is poor infrastructural management here in the VI. Water and Sewage also does a marvelous job of mashing up the roads. Months pass and roads remain in disrepair. We simply approach these issues with a “don’t care attitude”.
  • Make them pay (13/06/2026, 09:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    They broke it, they should pay to fix. Won’t happen though, just like compliance with work health and safety requirements as prescribed by Labor Code as amended in 2012. That would require employers to identify and address workplace hazards such as buried and overhead utilities, which evidently does not appear to be much of a consideration.
  • ... (13/06/2026, 10:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Power is going off to often
  • Stealth (13/06/2026, 10:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The first of order of business is the accurate mapping of power and water utility lines. Secondly, establish a dedicated line to call before digging, and codify a procedure ,, protocol to call before digging.. Further, BVIEC and water utilities, telecommunications , etc, must respond in a timely manner to request to dig permits. People who violate the the call before digging protocol should be held liable for damages.
  • Really? (13/06/2026, 12:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Instead of pleading, how about issuing some fines?
  • explain (15/06/2026, 10:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We digging up miles and miles of road all over Tortola to lay down water pipes.
    Why in the name of God are we not using this moment to bury our electrical cable, too.
    This would save them from Hi Mac damage but more importantly from HURRICANE and high wind damage.
    We learned this after Irma (8 months for me to get power back), and somehow we DIDN'T learn this.
    Someone please explain what I'm missing. Thank you.
  • WOW (15/06/2026, 11:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    But what's the purpose of Planning?


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