4-hour outage set in southern Saipan

Southern areas of Saipan are expected to experience a four-hour power outage this Saturday as the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. will conduct preventive maintenance at the Chalan Kiya Substation.

CUC spokesperson Pamela Mathis explained that a transformer in the Chalan Kiya Substation requires immediate maintenance or it may completely fail, resulting in no source of power for the southern part of the island.

Power Plant 1 in Lower Base generates electricity for southern Saipan. However, the electricity spans underground to the Chalan Kiya Substation, where the power is transformed, or boosted for stability, then released to all points south. The substation provides electricity to all of the Chalan Kiya grids.

Mathis said CUC engineers will conduct the first of a two-part preventive maintenance plan this Saturday.

She said beginning at 7am, the substation will be deactivated, resulting in a power outage for electric grids Kiya 1, Kiya 2, and Kiya 4.

CUC expects to complete the repair within three to four hours. Power may be restored no later than 11am, Mathis said.

She said the substation/transformer manufacturer is sending specialized parts to Saipan and, upon arrival, the second maintenance schedule as well as the associated outage will be announced.

The areas under Feeder Kiya 1, 2, and 4 that will be affected are Chalan Kiya, As Terlaje, portions of Fina Sisu, Kannat Tabla, San Vicente, Dandan, portions of Papago, Airport Road, As Gonno, As Perdido, Koblerville, As Lito, San Antonio, Chalan Piao, Afetnas, Chalan Kanoa District 1, 2, 3 and 4, Tun Doi Road, San Jose, Oleai, and Susupe.

The traffic lights to be affected are in As Terlaje, Dandan at As Lito; Dandan at Airport Road; As Lito and As Perdido; Chalan Piao; Chalan Kiya at San Jose; Susupe at Marianas High School; Susupe at Joeten-Kiyu Public Library; and Susupe at Mt. Carmel High School.

While the Kiya grids are deactivated, Mathis said, CUC linemen on this day will also repair and replace damaged power poles, electric switchgear, and conduct other maintenance that would normally require a separate grid-outage.

Mathis advised motorists to drive carefully down Chalan Monsignor Martinez Road (mid-As Lito Road) and in San Jose near the Mobil gas station because of heavy equipment on site, linemen working, and possible traffic delays.