Jun 01 - GSD Says Government “Must Take Political Responsibility For Power Cuts”
The GSD says it notes the significant power cuts in Gibraltar on Sunday “causing huge inconvenience to both residents and businesses alike.”
The party says that, while these latest power cuts may have been due to damage to services caused by works undertaken by contractors preparing for infrastructure works for the new power station, the reality is that if Mr. Picardo had not scrapped the plans for the GSD power station at Lathbury Barracks, that project would have been completed by now and so too would a complete overhaul of the distribution network around Gibraltar, which was all part of the contract price.
In contrast, argues the Opposition, “not a brick has been laid” in respect of the LNG power station at the North Mole and the Government has not even determined whether it is possible to store large enough quantities of LNG safely in order to make the project economical. In addition, says the GSD, the Government has still not worked out (nor reached an understanding with the RAF) on how the new power station can be run without exhaust plumes disrupting flights which, the party says, is a matter of concern. In short, says the GSD, it is a project that is “beset with problems” and, at this rate, is “unlikely to be complete within the next four years.”
Jaime Netto said: “The Government misled people at the last election when they said they would honour GSD plans for a power station at Lathbury Barracks provided the contracts were binding. It cost the Government £5 million to renege on that contract and all because it was a GSD project. Continued power cuts is the price of that decision and that lack of judgment.”
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