DUE to the inclement weather, the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. said it experienced heavy electrical fault on the Feeder 1 (second partial) circuit caused by “failed electrical hardware.”
Residents experienced a power outage from 1:24 a.m. to 4:15 a.m. Wednesday.
In a statement, CUC said the fault caused an electrical surge, which tripped the Power Plant 1 or PP1 station service and also the Aggreko plant, causing a generator overload at PP1. This triggered the generator protective devices at the facility, resulting in an island-wide power outage, CUC added.
“The power generation staff immediately initiated an assessment of the power plant and after all-clear was determined, black start procedures were initiated,” CUC said.
CUC line crewmembers were able to isolate the problem and make the necessary repairs to re-energize the feeder circuits to full restoration, it added.
The 11 CUC feeders were turned on at different subsequent times after the repair was made.
Moving forward, CUC said it will heighten the maintenance of the power distribution grid and review all breakers and relay settings at Power Plant 1 and make the necessary adjustments and minimize “these types of issues.”
The public utility said it appreciates customers’ understanding and cooperation during this emergency.
As for disruptions in water service, CUC said water customers in As Gonno, Koblerville, Afetnas, San Antonio, Chalan Piao, Chalan Kanoa, Susupe, Oleai and San Jose will be experiencing low pressure to no water as CUC water operations personnel work toward finding the cause of “the Isley TSA issue.”
CUC did not elaborate but said customers “are highly advised to conserve water during this outage until services are fully restored.”
