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Energy: Windmill project not ‘abandoned’
Despite challenges over the last several years, the CNMI Division of Energy, under the Department of Public Works, says they have not abandoned the stalled windmill turbine project at Saipan Southern High School.
Division of Energy director Thelma Inos told Saipan Tribune that two turbines spinning freely at the school remain a safety concern. The division is looking to fix this before they can commission the turbines.
“We have not abandoned this project. Yes, from Day 1 it has been a big issue and a challenge, but we are still hopeful we can make it work. We are working with [the Department of Education] as well,” she said.
According to Energy, the project, which initially started in 2011, was delayed over U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s concerns over the reed warbler in the area. It took two and a half years before the project was given the go-ahead again. This after a “mitigation action plan” was developed.
In 2013, the turbines were installed but never commissioned. According to Inos, the contractors of the project delayed completion repeatedly past the point where the grant period for the project had ended.
Inos said they met with the Attorney General’s Office last year over the issue. She said the contractor then appeared agreeable to getting the project done, with both agreeing on a “punch list” of things to be completed. The company, though, has since missed its March deadline.
Inos said they are hopeful, with the bonding agency for the project, to avoid litigation against the company.
According to Inos, they are working on getting another contractor to finish the project.
Originally, the project had developed out of former SSHS principal’s Craig Garrison’s interest in renewable energy.
As reported in 2011, the Division of Energy gave PSS approximately $2.4 million from the $6.5 million it received from the U.S. Department of Energy for renewable projects for the completion of this project.
The project was awarded to Pacific Green Integrated Technology Inc. and Pacific Wind & Solar LLC.
In addition to the windmills, the 95 solar panels from this project are working, according to Energy.
