Fitial spoke before the delegates of the 6th Annual Chena Renewable Energy Fair in Fairbanks, Alaska which was also attended by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Ak., Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell and Fairbanks Mayor Jerry Cleworth.
Fitial, in his speech, said the generation of electricity from geothermal power is his goal.
Like Alaska, he added, the CNMI has a lot of volcanoes.
He said a recent assessment by experts from Southern Methodist University noted surface observations indicating a “high likelihood” of significant geothermal resources, possibly exceeding 100 megawatts of generating capacity, on the volcanic island of Pagan.
But the challenge in utilizing this energy, Fitial said, is transporting it to the CNMI’s populated islands.
He said the assessment of SMU, and later, by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, also indicated signs of geothermal potential on Saipan.
Now, with $1.2 million in funding assistance from the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs, Fitial said “we will drill one or more holes to depths of at least 2,000 feet to measure the geothermal gradient beneath Saipan.”
The scientific results, he said, will be provided to renewable energy investors.
“Like Chena, which has become a prime example of the successes of geothermal energy, I am looking forward to interacting with all of you and discussing these projects and any new ideas that you may have to help my government reduce the dependence of the CNMI on imported fossil fuel,” Fitial said.
The CNMI people, he added, “have long suffered and endured the hardship of keeping up with the rising costs of conventional energy.”
“It is my fervent hope that soon enough, my administration will be able to bring the ‘spirit of Chena’ to the CNMI and usher in a new era of renewable energy for every family, every home,” he said, as he invited the participants to visit the islands and enjoy its pristine beaches, abundance of food and warm hospitality of its people who “will offer an experience you won’t soon forget.”
