Senate President Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, said funding may be a problem but the Legislature may be able to find a way to finance renewable energy projects.
Sablan and Reyes were impressed with the installation of the new Skystream 3.7 Wind Turbine and nine Kyocera 18V Solar Panels at Saipan Southern High School on Wednesday,
“The CNMI cannot just continue depending on oil,” said Sablan, Ind.-MP.
The wind turbine may not immediately address the island’s power problems, but it’s a good start.
The CNMI, he added, must create a renewable energy plan.
Reyes, for his part, said he and other lawmakers have discussed a plan to allow residents to borrow money from the Commonwealth Development Authority so they can purchase wind turbines or solar panels for their houses.
Private banking institutions may also be asked to finance this alternative energy program, he added.
The wind turbine installed at SSHS is very economical, Reyes said.
“I would like to see more wind turbines installed on island,” he added.
As a solar energy user, the Senate president said he was able to reduce his monthly power consumption by 25 percent.
Allied Pacific Environmental Consultant program manager Robert Jordan, who facilitated the installation of the wind turbine at SSHS, told Variety that they have talked with several potential investors and different agencies in the CNMI regarding renewable energy.
Jordan said the response has been “very positive.”
“We foresee more projects coming up and perhaps more people will see that the benefits are not just monetary but educational as well,” he said.
