They include: the overhaul of the Feeder 3 power distribution circuit, the voltage upgrade of both Feeder 1 and Feeder 2 power distribution circuits, and the installation of two new 2 MW Cummins Engines at power plant.
In recent months, power interruptions have challenged the island as a result of dilapidated power pole hardware, vegetation contacting high voltage power lines and unreliable power plant engines.
This has caused disruption to the community and our consumers. However, the necessary materials are now on island to overhaul Feeder 3 and six linemen have been sent from Saipan to assist the resident staff.
This refurbishment of Feeder 3 was initiated last weekend as CUC power distribution linemen had replaced some of the most deteriorated hardware in the field. This project will be ongoing for the next few months.
Subsequent to the refurbishment, the upgrade of Feeder 1 and Feeder 2 will commence. This project will change its current voltage from 4.16 KV to 13.8 KV. These feeders are the only two at this voltage and the upgrade will standardize the entire CUC electrical system to13.8 KV. Because of the extent of work involved the linemen will also be required to schedule power interruptions for safety purposes. Two new bucket trucks have been purchased and are expected to arrive on Rota late September to be used for this project.
For the power plant, two new Cummins Engines rated at 2 MW each is expected to depart Saipan on September 1st and arrive Rota soon thereafter. Power plant technicians will be installing the two new engines at the power plant once they arrive. These engines will be the primary power supply for the island. They are rated to be very fuel efficient. They will produce16 KW per gal. of fuel whereas the engines on Tinian produce 14.6 KW per gal., and the Power Plant 4 engines on Saipan produce 12.8 KW per gal. These engines are also efficient in a co-generation system involving renewable energies such as wind and solar due to their electronic governor’s quick speed response time.
These three projects require CUC to schedule power interruptions on the island over the next few weeks and possibly later. The purpose of the power interruptions is to allow the linemen and technicians to work safely on the high voltage power lines as they perform the necessary work.
These projects have all been funded through grants from the Capital Improvement Program which total $3.6 million.
Rota Feeders Affected:
Feeder-1
Power Plant, Liyo Housing, District 3 to Teneto
Feeder -2
Portions of District 1, Portions of District 2 to Annex F.
Feeder-3
Portions of District 1,Potions of District 2, San Francisco De Borja St. from Songsong Village to the Sinapalo area, Rota International Airport and Chen Chon.
CUC will provide more information on future, scheduled power interruptions.
CUC apologizes for any inconvenience these power interruptions may impose on the community and our customers, and will continue to work diligently to minimize future interruptions.
