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Pilot project for alternative energy proposed for Rota
A pilot project for an alternative energy program is being eyed for Rota.
Unlike previous proposals, a company is willing to let CNMI lawmakers go to an actual site off-island to see for themselves the equipment for the alternative energy project, Senate President Victor B. Hocog (R-Rota) said.
Hocog said the purpose of the visit is to let lawmakers see if the equipment will work on Rota.
According to Hocog, there have been a lot of offers for this kind of projects on Rota, but it might be time to discuss this with a company “who is more serious,” because “nothing’s been happening.”
Hocog said he plans to initiate a meeting between representatives of Solgen Hybrid, a U.S. company, with CNMI lawmakers by the end of the month.
“What the representative of the company said was they will be flying the actual equipment to Guam,” Hocog said, adding that lawmakers from the CNMI will then be invited to witness how the equipment actually works.
The company is set to discuss the project, which will involve a mix of alternative energy sources, and not just solar and wind.
Hocog said the equipment are scheduled to be flown to a site in Guam on March 16 from San Diego.
“We’re working to see Rota as a pilot project and eventually discuss this with the governor,” Hocog said.
Hocog said the equipment can produce 1.2 megawatts of power, but will only occupy 600 square feet of land.
“The company is also offering to take care of the insurance for the equipment,” Hocog said. “Downtime, according to them, is 30 minutes in 365 days.”
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. will also be included in the discussions as the transmission lines will still be the responsibility of CUC.
The alternative energy project promises to decrease the Rota community’s dependence on CUC and perhaps lower rates.
Hocog said Solgen Hybrid is a different entity from Sunnova, another alternative energy company that recently expressed interest in setting up shop in the CNMI.
