Abe Utu Malae to leave CUC by end of March 2012

Commonwealth Utilities Corp. executive director Abe Utu Malae will officially leave his post by the end of March 2012 so he could focus on his gubernatorial campaign in American Samoa.

Malae, during Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the rerouting and realignment of the W-8 lift station project, said that he will tender his resignation early next year as his contract requires a three-month prior notice.

Malae announced his election bid last month. The American Samoa gubernatorial race is slated for November 2012.

Malae earlier told Saipan Tribune that he has already conveyed his decision to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, who has expressed support for the CUC official’s decision.

In November 2008, Malae ran for governor of American Samoa and finished second. In 2009, he left his Senate seat in Sa’ole county in the Fono (legislative assembly) to accept a position at CUC, which was at that time experiencing massive power outages.

Malae was first hired as assistant executive director and, in October 2010, succeeded Tony Muña as executive director of the utilities corporation.

Stable power for Rota

Malae, who traveled to Rota-CUC last week, said that with the anticipated completion of three major projects on the island, Rota will soon enjoy a stable power supply-probably more stable than Saipan.

Malae was alluding to the $3.6 million CIP grant that will fund the installation of two brand new Cummins engines at the Rota power plant, producing 2 megawatts each; overhaul of the Feeder 3 power distribution circuit, and upgrade of the voltage in both Feeders 1 and 2 distribution circuits.

In recent weeks, power disruptions have challenged Rota customers because of dilapidated power pole hardware, vegetation contacting high voltage power lines, and unreliable engines at the power plant.

Malae said that CUC has already begun clearing the vegetation even without bucket trucks, which are expected to arrive next month. “We’re still able to do a lot of clearing-about 5 miles-even without the bucket trucks.”

CUC has only one power plant on Rota, supplying power to its customers in Sinapalo and Songsong. It has two Cummins engines, one Mitsui engine that needs a major overhaul, and one Caterpillar engine, which is only used as emergency backup. The power plant produced more or less 2.6 MW from these units.

Once the two brand-new Cummins engines are installed, this will pave the way for the overhaul of the Mitsui and Caterpillar engines. The new engines will raise power production from 2.6 MW to about 7 MW.

Saipan Tribune learned that CUC has about 900 customers on Rota. During emergency power outages, CUC buys power from the privately owned Rota Resort power plant at the rate of 51 cents per kilowatt-hour.