The phase one assessment of the overhaul project on Jamestown Board of Public Utilities steam turbine generator No. 5 has been completed.

During the BPU regular monthly meeting Monday, Cory Allen, BPU power plant manager, said the assessment report on the steam turbine generator No. 5 is better than what was expected. He said the last overhaul of the generator was in 2003. He added the throttle valve end seats are pitted, but that is what is expected after 17 years between overhauls.

Allen said the nondestructive evaluation was completed for the rotor inspection and showed no cracks found on the shaft. He said blade damage was found, but there were no cracks

“No cracks on the rotor shaft is very good news,” he said. “This level of blade erosion is expected.”

Allen said the nondestructive evaluation completed for diaphragm halves showed multiple minor cracks and erosion patterns. He said minor cracks and erosion is expected.

“Overall, the findings are better than expected,” he said.

The next steps in the overhaul process includes receiving the final inspection report by Jan. 7, 2021. Allen said after that the BPU will go out to bid on the overhaul of the generator, with bids expected to be open Feb. 4. He added, at that point, BPU officials will decide what will be done to the generator during the overhaul.

David Leathers, BPU general manager, said the project cost is estimated between $1.5 million to $2 million. He said the overhaul should buy another 10 to 15 years of operation.

“Hopefully, it will be under $2 million,” he said.

Leathers said the assessment of steam turbine generator No. 5 is better than when the BPU overhauled steam turbine generator No. 6 in 2016.

“We are encouraged by the assessment results so far and we are waiting on the formal report from the contractor, and we will go from there,” Leathers said.

In other business, the BPU approved the electric budget for 2021. Leathers said there is no base electric rate increase next year.