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Tinian generator cannibalized for Saipan
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Posted on Sep 13 2005
A generator from the old Tinian power plant is now being prepared to be shipped to Saipan as part of efforts to restore the Isley Field Power Plant.
The Tinian generator will be used in addition to two other engines already on island, according to Commonwealth Utilities Corp. power generation manager Almondo Santos.
Generators at the old Tinian power plant have been idle since CUC privatized power service on Tinian. Telesource CNMI is the independent power producer running the new power plant on the island.
“Some of those units are still running, while others have parts we can take and use to build or repair another engine,” said Santos. He added some engine parts being used to fix a generator at Power Plant 2 in Lower Base came from the Tinian power plant.
Currently, all the three engines at Power Plant 3 in Isley Field are not operational. CUC wants to restore the plant to generate an additional capacity of 5 megawatts.
The Babauta administration, which currently controls CUC pursuant to the governor’s May 19 state of emergency declaration, announced plans earlier to install one 1.7-megawatt Detroit diesel generator, one 1.8-megawatt Caterpillar generator, and one 1.6-megawatt refurbished Caterpillar generator in one of the buildings at the power plant.
“The [power plant restoration] will result in the provision of an additional power generation capacity of 5 megawatts serving the area of Papago, San Vicente, Dandan, Isley water wells, airport area, and Koblerville,” the Governor’s Office said earlier. “[I]n emergency situations and during typhoons, this plant could be used to either support the main plant or run on its own if required due to a shutdown of main power generation facilities.”
Power Plant III was originally constructed in 1993. It is located at Isley Field near the Saipan International Airport.
CUC’s three other plants are producing a combined capacity of 66.6 megwatts daily.
Power Plant 1 is generating a total of 52.8 megawatts while Power Plant 2 is producing 3.2 megawatts. The privately run Power Plant 4 in Puerto Rico is generating 10.6 megawatts.
