The two other factors are heavy vegetation encroaching the power poles and transformer explosion.
Malae said CUC is now replacing steel pin insulators with those made of fiber glass.
A pin insulator consists of a nonconducting material formed into a shape that will isolate a wire from a utility pole.
CUC has already installed more than 300 fiber glass insulators in Feeder 4 in Kagman, Malae said.
Thousands of steel pin insulators throughout the island are scheduled for replacement, he added.
The replacement work is expected to be completed within two years.
Meanwhile, Malae said CUC is coordinating with the private sector in the trimming of vegetation near the power poles.
The private entities are providing their own manpower and equipment to trim vegetation in their areas, he added.
The Department of Public Works is also helping clear the vegetation along the roads, he said.
CUC is also inspecting its facilities every six months, he added.
During the most recent typhoon, Malea said they recorded three explosions of transformers.
Each 37 kva transformer costs $1,800, he added.
The explosion is usually caused by water seeping into the transformer, he said.
According to Malae, a “big typhoon” that will hit Saipan can damage 50 percent of CUC’s power system, and they will have no capability to restore power generation immediately.
But he said CUC has a standing agreement with the Guam Power Authority to assist Saipan’s power needs in time of a calamity.
The other option is to seek assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he added.
