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CUC quells fears on power outgage
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Posted on Dec 13 1999
Amid the controversy on the new power plant for Saipan, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation has assured residents of its capability to meet the current demand on the island while doing maintenance work on existing power engines.
Two power plants, engines 2 and 4, are now undergoing necessary repairs to meet federal standards. This process is not expected to bring power outages to Saipan homes and businesses, according to CUC Executive Director Timothy P. Villagomez.
“[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency] has concerns regarding the air emissions and the quality of staff that need to be put up so we are addressing those issues,” he told reporters last week.
But overall power situation on the island is “very good,” added Mr. Villagomez, citing that engine 8 that has been under regular checkup will be on-line middle of next month.
“We are working tremendously to try to get that thing going. We are putting out request for proposals to try to do maintenance of all the other engines that are due for maintenance,” he explained.
CUC has a current capacity of 65 megawatts provided by all its engines, although actual demand normally jumps in summer months which force utility officials to ask large customers, such as garment factories and hotels, to go off the main system and to generate their own power.
The government corporation in the past has blamed failing engines to suppliers of parts that have been found to be defective and a leading cause of constant malfunction of the generators.
It is currently trying to assess actual demand on Saipan prior to deciding on the fate of the controversial 80-MW power plant whose construction phase has been pushed back several times due to disputes on procurement procedures.
