PMIC runs the power plant.
Paradela said CUC, which owed PMIC $1.6 million, made a recent partial payment of $300,000.
CUC has to pay PMIC a monthly due of $300,000.
According to Paradela, the monthly fee sometimes varies, depending on the kilowatt-hour they produce for CUC.
The power plant capacity is14.6 megawatts.
“We are hoping that by the end of the year, CUC will be able to pay us. Although we really want them to pay us earlier,” the plant manager stated.
PMIC is aware of the rising cost of fuel and other contract obligations that the utilities agency has to resolve, he added.
To cut costs, PMIC no longer requires its personnel to report for work on Saturdays and Sundays, he said.
The firm is also trying to recycle some of its spare parts and check on possible fuel leaks to minimize costs, he added.
“We are barely surviving,” Paradela said.
He hopes that PMIC will not resort to borrowing money in the future in order to continue its operations.
CUC did not tell when it will be able to make another partial payment, Paradela said.
But he added that CUC Executive Director Antonio S. Muna is in “close communication” with the power company regarding the agency’s arrears.
