COMMONWEALTH Utilities Corp. Chairman Francisco Q. Guerrero says Saipan does not need a new power plant since existing generators can still adequately meet current demand.
However, Guerrero said CUC needs to reassess the capacity of its existing power plants, especially on Saipan, to effectively meet future demand.
During a recent presentation before the CUC board of directors, Power Plant Manager Gary Camacho said the highest power rate consumption on Saipan reached only 69 megawatts, and this leaves the island with an 11-megawatt power reserve.
CUC has allotted $12 million to overhaul five generators. Camacho said this is done every eight years to ensure the efficient performance of the engines.
For the overhaul of generators 8 and 4 last year, CUC spent $5.5 million. Camacho said generator 8 produces a maximum of 12 megawatts. The 23-year-old engine number 4 is capable of producing 6 megawatts.
A budget of $6.5 million for the major overhaul of generators 3,5 and 7 was allotted in fiscal year 2001. Engine number 3 is still undergoing repair.
CUC also spent $3 million to improve power distribution throughout Saipan. Part of the money was used to upgrade Feeder 4 which covers Talafofo, As Aquina, San Roque and As Castro.
About $2 million was spent on upgrading new high voltage lines and replacing old utility poles in Chalan Kanoa and Susupe.
On Rota, about $720,000 was spent on the power distribution project in the Sinapalo III homestead, Sinapalo to the bird sanctuary and the airport intersection to Fr. Antonelli’s Farm areas.
