CUC power generation now at 43.4MW

More than seven weeks after Typhoon Soudelor wrought havoc on Siapan’s power grid, the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is now able to generate 43.4MW of electricity through a combination of Power Plant Four in Puerto Rico and Power Plant One in Lower Base.

As the restoration of Saipan’s main production facility continues, CUC expects another 10MW to come online within the next two weeks.

On Monday, Sept. 21, Saipan’s base load was 13.6MW at 3am. CUC’s daytime peak was 19.5MW at 2pm and our evening peak reached 18.4MW at 8pm.

The utilities company continues the recovery and restoration of Saipan’s power and water systems with the assistance of local, regional, and federal partners. Below you will find the latest information about Saipan’s water and wastewater capabilities.

POWER
All of the primary lines on each of Saipan’s eight feeders are projected to be online by the end of September and the majority of Saipan should be online by the end of October. As CUC’s crews begin work on the lateral lines, customers closer to the primary lines will be among the first to receive power while restoration will take longer for customers further away from the primary lines and those with more damage.

PERSONNEL
CUC Saipan linemen are currently supported by their peers from Rota, Tinian, Rhode Island, Palau, Yap, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Guam.

POWER PLANT FOUR
Power Plant Four is currently able to produce 8.4MW of electricity from Generators 2 (2.1MW), 3 (2.1MW), 5 (2.3MW), 7 (.95MW), and 9 (.95MW). The plant is currently standing in reserve.

POWER PLANT ONE
Power Plant One currently produces all electricity for Saipan with the capability to generate 35MW. Saipan’s current base load (the demand from customers connected to our network) is at 12.3MW in the early morning hours and a peak load of 17.2MW in the afternoon.

Generator 6 recently came online, which provided an additional 10MW of electricity. The rest of the power is provided by Generators 1 (5.5MW), 2 (4.0MW), and 3 (5.5MW), and 5 (10MW). Restoration of the consoles and generators continues which will lead to additional generation capability in the near future. Generator 7 (10MW) is being dried and a test run is scheduled for next week.

DISTRIBUTION
CUC and its partners have erected a power poles and strung lines on each of Saipan’s eight feeders. As a result, CUC remains on target to meet its goal of energizing each of the primary lines by the end of September.

TRANSFORMER RECOVERY
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken the responsibility of recovering and disposing CUC’s damaged transformers. As of 2pm on Sept. 21, 2015, the CUC/EPA Transformer Team collected a total of 627 downed transformers.

WATER
CUC has accomplished its immediate goal to bring limited water service to all of the villages across Saipan. As CUC’s ability to provide power to the island increases, its ability to energize wells will increase water production.

LIMITED WATER SERVICE
Until CUC is able to energize each of Saipan’s 150 wells, its Water Division is working to deliver island-wide water service, albeit in a limited capacity, using a network of generators from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

WATER DISTRIBUTION
CUC provides Limited Water Service (LWS) to every village in Saipan based on the following schedule, which is subject to change based on the levels in the tanks:
• San Antonio: 8am-1pm daily
• Chalan Piao: 8am-1pm daily
• Chalan Kanoa: Odd days: 6pm-8am Even days: 1-6pm
• Susupe: Odd days: 1-6pm Even days: 6pm-8am
• Oleai: Odd days: 1-6pm Even days: 6pm-8am
• San Jose: 1-6pm Even days: 6pm-8am
• Chalan Kiya: 24 hours (lower elevations only)
• Navy Hill (Upper): 24 hours daily
• Navy Hill (Lower): 8am-11am daily
• Chinatown: 11am-1pm daily
• Chalan Galaide: 1pm-3pm daily
• As Rabagau: 24 hours daily
• As Teo: 24 hours daily
• As Matuis (Lower): 8am-6pm daily
• As Matuis (Upper): 24 hours daily
• San Roque: 8am-6pm daily
• Gualo Rai: 8am-5pm daily
• San Vicente 1: 1pm-5pm daily
• San Vicente 2: 9am-1pm
• Lower Base: 9am-4pm
• Tanapag: 8am-6pm daily
• Sadog Tasi: 24 hours daily
• Tottoville: 24 hours daily
• Koblerville: 24 hours daily
• Afetna: 24 hours daily
• As Gonno: 24 hours daily
• Kagman IV: 9am – 11am daily Kagman I: 10am – 12pm daily
• Kagman II: 10am – 12pm daily Kagman III Phase I: 10am – 12pm daily Kagman III Phase II: 12pm – 2pm daily Kagman III Phase III: 2pm – 4pm daily
• As Lito: 10am-1pm daily
• Dandan Homestead: 24 hours daily
• Dandan Homestead: 24 hours daily
• Obyan: 24 hours daily
• Airport Road: 9am-6:30pm daily
• Finasisu: 8am-6:30pm daily

Capital Hill is broken up into three sections:
• CH 1: 24 hours daily (East Isa Dr. from Sarah Market to Kagman Mobil Gas Station (including Atbut Dr., Egigi Dr., Ifet Dr., Chunge Pl., Fakpe PL., and Fahang Dr.).
• CH 2: 24 hours daily 1200 Block
• CH 3: 1pm-4pm 1300 block, Wireless Ridge, West Isa Dr. to Haat PL., and Chalan Talafofo).
• CH 4: 24 hours daily (Papago Dr., Sosugi Dr., Isa Dr. from Ahgaga Dr. to Mulberry Ln.).
• Tapochau: 3pm-6pm daily

Kanat Tabla is broken into four sections:
• KT1: 8am-1pm (Kanat Tabla) Odd Days
• KT2: 8am-1pm (Middle Rd & Beach Rd, Gualo Rai St to Quartermaster Rd) Odd Days
• KT3: 12pm-6pm (Middle Rd & Beach Rd, Chalan Monsignor Guerrero to Quartermaster Rd) Even Days
• KT4: 12pm-6pm (Kanat Tabla) Even Days
• Papago: 9am-5pm daily
• Laolao Bay Drive: 9am-1pm daily
• San Vicente 1: 1pm-5pm (Stanford area)
• San Vicente 2: 9am-1pm

Garapan is broken into three sections:
• G1: 8am-11am (South Garapan – Dama Di Noche St to Gualo Rai St)
• G2: 11am-2pm (Garapan Orchid St to Dame Di Noche St)
• G3: 2pm-5pm (Garapan – Micro Beach Rd to Orchid St)
• Gualo Rai: 8am-5pm daily

It is important to note that all times are subject to change based on the volume of water coming into the tank.
CUC is a non-profit autonomous agency of the CNMI government. The utility provides electric power, water and wastewater services to the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. (CUC)