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‘Engine 7 overhaul will be done in 30-45 days’
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Posted on Jun 29 2008
The ongoing overhaul on power engine number 7 at Power Plant 1 in Lower Base may be completed in the next 30 to 45 days.
Commonwealth Utilities Corp. executive director Antonio Muna said the rehabilitation of engine no. 7 could generate about 11 megawatts of electric power on Saipan.
Muna told the media they would soon use engine no. 7 plus an additional power engine at Power Plant 1 to boost the power supply on the island.
He said three other power engines at Power Plant 1 could then be held in reserve for eventual rehabilitation.
“Power Plant 1 will continue to provide power but it will be limited to two engines of the four that are currently operating. It’s going to be combinations of two to four engines,” the executive director said.
The present total output of the power plants is 36.4 megawatts. Demand is at 41 megawatts, which means a shortage of 4.6 megawatts.
DCM Inc. will be rehabilitating seven of the eight power engines at Power Plant 1.
According to the latest CUC report on power distribution, engines 2, 3, 6, and 8 at Power Plant 1 are operational. Engine no. 7 is undergoing overhaul work. Engine no. 8 has been operational since April 14, 2008, but is due for major overhaul.
Unit 1 has been undergoing maintenance since Nov. 12, 2006. Unit 4 is down due to crankpin seizure since July 16, 2005. Unit 5 has been down since April 12, 2008, due to replacement needs for valves, injector liner and cylinder.
