LUCELEC is making a significant stride toward operational independence with the installation of a state-of-the-art liquid nitrogen generator at its Cul-de-Sac power plant which is a move expected to cut expenses, reduce reliance on overseas suppliers, and enhance service reliability for more than 70,000 customers.
For years, LUCELEC depended on imported liquid nitrogen to carry out critical maintenance on its engines.
The substance is essential for cooling and shrinking specific components so they can be safely installed during major overhauls. But unpredictable supply chains, rising shipping costs, and delays have increasingly threatened the efficiency of scheduled servicing.
Now, with local production in full swing, the company says those challenges are significantly reduced.
According to Trainee Engineer Lincoln Francis, the new system directly supports the rigorous servicing requirements set by engine manufacturers.
“At every 20,000 hours we do a major servicing of the engine where we shut it down,” he explained. “According to the manufacturer’s specifications, there are certain parts that need to change in the engine because they’ve run their course, run their life.”
Francis noted that liquid nitrogen is crucial to this process. “These parts are designed by the engine manufacturer to be in such a way that they need to be cooled,” he said. “And when it’s cooled it shrinks, and as it’s now in a smaller form you can actually place it safely in the engine.”
Previously, securing this essential resource involved extensive planning and dependence on foreign suppliers. With the new generator on site, LUCELEC can now produce the liquid nitrogen required for maintenance in-house, ensuring consistency and reducing long-term operational costs.
Company officials say this investment aligns with LUCELEC’s broader strategy to modernize its infrastructure, build resilience into its operations, and maintain the stability of Saint Lucia’s electricity grid.
The generator is already being used in major engine servicing at Cul-de-Sac. Engineers describe it as a “game changer,” allowing teams to work more efficiently and eliminating the risk of delays caused by supply shortages.
LUCELEC is expected to release further details as the system becomes fully integrated into its maintenance operations.