The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. has managed to re-energize\u2014restore it to full efficiency\u2014one of Power Plant 1\u2019s main engines in Lower Base.<\/p>\n
Power Plant 1 has a total of eight engines. The CUC Power Generation Division was able to energize Engine 4, a unit capable of producing 7.2 megawatts of power. That engine has been inoperable since 2005 due to a seized crankpin.<\/p>\n
According to the CUC executive director Gary Camacho, the engine, among many others, could not be immediately repaired due to the financial struggles of the corporation. With Engine 4 offline, the island lacked at least 6.5 MW of power.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis engine repair was initiated last year and required extensive work in all areas of the unit as a result of the long downtime and parts availability,\u201d said Camacho.<\/p>\n
The engine received a replacement crankshaft as well as a replaced radiator system, a process that was performed internally by CUC staff without external assistance, said Camacho.<\/p>\n
The peak power demand of Saipan is 40 MW.<\/p>\n
Since Tuesday, the island\u2019s reserve power capacity was at 0.95 MW. By the time Engine 4 was up and running, the reserve capacity jumped to 8.2 MW yesterday, said Camacho. <\/p>\n
According to Camacho, the low reserve was due to the CUC Power Generation Division performing general maintenance and repairs to their engines, such as Power Plant 1\u2019s Engine 3. Engine 3 is capable of producing 6 MW, but its turbo charger needs repairs.<\/p>\n
In addition to Engine 3, Engine 5 is currently receiving repair from a contractor specializing in technical procedures. Engine 5, a 10-MW unit, has specific repairs that only a specialist may be able to carry out, such as metal stitching and careful machining. Work on Engine 5 is expected to be completed on May 9 and it would be online as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
Power Plant 1\u2019s Engine 6 and Engine 7 are next in line for some repair work. Engine 6 also requires a specialist to look at it since the repairs call for metal stitching and turbo charger support repairs. Engine 7 needs foundation repairs and would also require the services of a specialized contractor. Repairs for both Engines 6 and 7 are expected to be completed around June 8 and August 3, respectively.<\/p>\n
CUC has been performing repairs and maintenance on its other engines at Power Plants 1, 2, and 4, \u201cas previously reported in presentations over the last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis repair shows the dedication of all the people in the Power Generation Division. I was informed that this involved all areas of power generation and I am very proud and confident of each and every one of them down there,\u201d said Camacho.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the leadership of Power Generation Division manager Richard Kano and all staff have proven that they all have the talent and skills to move forward,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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