CUC ahead of schedule in installing lines

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is ahead of schedule in installing power lines that will connect to the new Aggreko generators.

Workers from the CUC Power Division have been working for the last few weeks to erect the six poles and power lines that will deliver the added power to the public. The workers were not scheduled to finish the installation until next week but anticipate finishing today.

“The Power Division is basically preparing itself for when Aggreko is prepared with their program,” said Power Division manager Gary Camacho.

He said it was important for the distribution side to be ready so Aggreko can start up the generators on time.

Aggreko is expected to turn on the generators Sept. 12, with the full 15 megawatts of power provided by Sept. 16 or 17. This will bring the island’s total power to 39 to 45 megawatts, CUC executive director Antonio Muna said.

About 41 megawatts are needed to sufficiently power the island. As of yesterday afternoon, CUC was producing approximately 27 megawatts of power.

The linemen installing the equipment are currently undergoing safety training led by Pacific Lineman trainer Chris Middleton.

“It’s essential we have people properly trained to make independent decisions out in the field,” Camacho said. The jobs are dangerous and the necessary training is imperative, he added.

Attempts have been made to provide the training in the past, he said, but “it’s more critical today because of the maintenance required; this is an old structure,” he said referring to CUC’s equipment.

The 20 workers have completed the first year of the two-year program that was funded by a grant, Camacho said.

Middleton said the linemen are using the current installation as hands-on experience.

“They’re doing good,” he said. “They’re getting better and better each day.”

Middleton said the workers now have the proper training that they might have lacked in the past.

“They love the training. They’ve never been trained so they’re really grateful,” he said.

The training will ultimately save CUC money because right now, when there is a problem, a worker must call a Guam contractor and wait for their input and guidance. Now, the workers will be able to make the necessary adjustments on their own, Middleton said.

CUC has also released their load-shedding schedule, running today through next Friday. Each area will experience three-hour outages one time in a 24-hour period.