Saipan Hit By Widespread Power Outages
(Saipan Tribune)
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp.'s power plants were producing less than 20 megawatts of power yesterday for Saipan, with only one engine operational at Power Plant 1, the Saipan Tribune reports.
The island was experiencing extensive load shedding because of the lack of power.
Acting power division manager Gary Camacho said the island was receiving 18 to 20 megawatts on average yesterday.
In order to follow the two-hour load shedding schedule, at least three engines producing about 40 megawatts should be operational, Camacho said. When it gets down to one, extensive load shedding takes place. The crewmembers must be commended for their hard work in trying to fix and repair the engines as soon as problems arise, Camacho said.
CUC is hoping for relief by mid-September when the Aggreko generators are expected to be operational. On Monday, Muna said the engines, which will provide an additional 15 megawatts of power, should be up and running by Sept. 16 or 17.
http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=82917
