Belco has taken delivery of the last of three new 45-tonne, 4.5 megawatt (MW) gas turbine generating sets as it seeks to make its operation more cost effective and efficient.

Roger Todd, Belco engineer for energy supply and gas turbine project manager, said: "Delivery of the engines is an important milestone in this project. Last week, we completed work on the buildings and infrastructure associated with the engines.

"We marked the occasion with a roof-wetting ceremony, thanking Belco staff and vendors working on the project. We are also grateful to the various Government departments that have helped get us to this point."

Belco signed a contract with UK-based Centrax Gas Turbines plc. for manufacture and installation of the engines in January 2009.

The gas turbines, which will replace the current ageing 2.5 MW units, are the smallest of the company's engines and the most costly to run. Consequently, they are intended mainly for standby and peak load use.

The gas turbine generating sets are self-contained packages mounted on piled foundations and will be key to helping Belco provide electricity securely, reliably and sustainably. Cemetery Road was closed during their installation yesterday.