A day before Christmas, he said, the U.S. Office of the Insular Affairs issued the authorization to proceed with the rehabilitation effort.
“The process is now starting with the signing up of a team of mechanics to assess the engines,” Muna said.
CUC was able to secure the needed funding, he added.
For the repairs, CUC has $5.5 million, which includes the reprogrammed $3.8 million from federally funded sewer projects Muna said.
He added that Wallon Young, an engineer from Fiji, was hired by CUC to oversee the rehabilitation process.
The team will identify the parts needed by the engines during the overhaul process, Muna said.
Although CUC will be the primary player in the rehabilitation project, some of its components — mechanical, electrical and reconditioning — might be offered to private contractors, he added.
According to Muna, they may also consider hiring additional engineering staff to augment CUC’s manpower.
During the overhaul process, he said, the preparation and mobilization of tools and equipment are necessary.
When asked if CUC can finish the project before its Aggreko contract expires in September 2009, Muna said he will know by March.
For over $500,000 a month, Aggreko is supplying CUC with 15 megawatts of power through containerized power generators in Lower Base near Power Plant 1.
CUC wants to have engines 5 and 7 online by September, “but it was also contemplated to give Aggreko an additional six months,” Muna said.
