The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is ahead of schedule in installing power lines that will connect to the new Aggreko generators. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Power Division is basically preparing itself for when Aggreko is prepared with their program,\u201d said Power Division manager Gary Camacho. <\/p>\n
He said it was important for the distribution side to be ready so Aggreko can start up the generators on time. <\/p>\n
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\u2019s total power to 39 to 45 megawatts, CUC executive director Antonio Muna said. <\/p>\n
About 41 megawatts are needed to sufficiently power the island. As of yesterday afternoon, CUC was producing approximately 27 megawatts of power. <\/p>\n
The linemen installing the equipment are currently undergoing safety training led by Pacific Lineman trainer Chris Middleton. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s essential we have people properly trained to make independent decisions out in the field,\u201d Camacho said. The jobs are dangerous and the necessary training is imperative, he added. <\/p>\n
Attempts have been made to provide the training in the past, he said, but \u201cit\u2019s more critical today because of the maintenance required; this is an old structure,\u201d he said referring to CUC\u2019s equipment. <\/p>\n
The 20 workers have completed the first year of the two-year program that was funded by a grant, Camacho said. <\/p>\n
Middleton said the linemen are using the current installation as hands-on experience. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re doing good,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re getting better and better each day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Middleton said the workers now have the proper training that they might have lacked in the past.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey love the training. They\u2019ve never been trained so they\u2019re really grateful,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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