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Governor, CUC hold weekly briefing on power situation
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Posted on Aug 08 2005
Amid criticisms over recurring blackouts, Gov. Juan N. Babauta will hold a weekly public briefing on the power situation on Saipan beginning today, according to his press secretary, Peter A. Callaghan.
Callaghan said the governor and Commonwealth Utilities Corp. officials will make themselves available at 11am to noon today at the Multi Purpose Center in Susupe “to update the public on the CUC situation.”
“They intend to hold weekly briefings to bring people up to speed at what’s going on with CUC,” said Callaghan.
He said he is not aware if the governor would make any formal announcement regarding the utility firm.
The governor has emergency control over CUC operations following his May 19 state of emergency declaration.
Callaghan said the focus in the briefing would be the status of engines at the main power plant in Lower Base.
Three engines—Nos. 8, 4, and 3—are currently down at Power Plant I.
Last week, Babauta and CUC executive director Lorraine A. Babauta said that the engines would be up and operating within four to six months, resolving the constant load shedding on Saipan.
The executive director said that Singapore-based Mann BMW contractor is on island to fix the engines.
The team would prioritize engine 8, which produces 10.5 MW.
PP1 has a total of eight engines which have a combined capacity of 80 MW.
Currently, the five operating machines generate 43 MW.
Local authorities said that CUC engines are breaking for lack of maintenance for several years now.
