CUC wants to ensure that it can maintain power production stability while the engines of Power Plant 1 are undergoing rehabilitation, he added.
Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. earlier disclosed that the Aggreko contract would most likely be extended based on the recommendation and assessment of a consultant.
“That is the safety net just in case the effort of rehabilitation is delayed because there are events that CUC does not control like [federal] funding,” Muna said.
Another factor that may delay the rehabilitation effort is the acquisition of spare parts that will take at least six months, he added.
However, Muna said they already got most of the parts for Engine 7 and the rehabilitation process is underway.
On Dec. 24, the U.S. Office of the Interior Affairs issued an authorization to proceed and CUC was able to hire Fijian engineer Wallon Young to oversee the rehabilitation project.
For Engine 5, a team of mechanics is now conducting an assessment and inventory on the parts needed, he added.
“We may need more parts for 5 and 7, and that will take some time,” Muna said.
CUC, he added, may extend the Aggreko contract depending on the progress of the rehabilitation project.
If CUC can produce adequate power at Power Plant 1, “it can safety disengage from Aggreko,” he said.
The focus of the overhaul are Engines 5 and 7 while Engine 1 needs an immediate semi-overhaul, he added.
Engines 3, 6 and 8 will also be overhauled if funding is available, Muna said.
