PPUC’s General Manager Satoru Adachi during President Johnson Toribiong’s press conference added that it has also asked the help of the Guam Power Authority (GPA) engineers to determine the problem with the underwater main cable.
Adachi at the same time said that PPUC has prepared a work schedule to ensure that power supply will not be interrupted while repairs and maintenance are being conducted at the engines at the Malakal Power Plant.“Hopefully by Friday or Saturday, we’ll go back to 24-hour power availability,” Adachi said.This week, PPUC continued implementing rolling blackouts of around four hours a day across the island due to a deficit in supply because of two problems being faced by PPUC.One problem was the underwater cable connecting the line from Aimeliik plant to Palau High School in Koror. The second problem was the breakdown of the two engines at the power plant in Malakal.Adachi said the engineers from GPA will assist PPUC to determine the problem in the electric line.He said that to temporary remedy the problem, PPUC crew had to install string in the overhead lines running from Airai to Koror.Areas affected by the problem in the electrical line had no power for over four hours.Power rationing meanwhile was applied in areas affected by the engine breakdown.PPUC Chairman of the Board Kione Isechal said PPUC is exploring all options to address the power deficiency.He said that “band-aid approach” has been conducted to remedy the old engines.Isechal added that lack of expertise is also a factor in the problem.He also stressed that purchase of new engines will take time.
