Saipan\u2019s rapid economic growth has fueled a 40-percent increase in its power demand since 2016, according to Commonwealth Utilities Corp. executive director Gary P. Camacho.<\/p>\n
In contrast, the average power utility growth in the U.S. mainland is only 1 percent.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s extremely challenging,\u201d said Camacho. <\/p>\n
In an interview with Saipan Tribune, Camacho said that CUC needs to replace its Number 8 power engine at Power Plant 1 in Lower Base.<\/p>\n
He said that engine has been down for many years. It used to produce 11 megawatts.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough we have the engine, it\u2019s not producing because of mechanical issues,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Camacho earlier reported that their three power plants on Saipan produce a total capacity of 52.1 megawatts.<\/p>\n
Camacho said CUC has funding to buy a new engine to replace Engine No. 8, but the project has been going through the procurement process to identify the right one for installation. He said the CNMI central government provided funding to buy a replacement engine, largely due to efforts of the previous CUC board. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s now being processed to replace the engine and that would be an additional 10 to 11 megawatt to the system,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
At a status conference about CUC projects last February before U.S. District Court for the NMI designated Judge David O. Carter, Camacho disclosed that the Imperial Pacific casino is currently partially online with CUC\u2019s power. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think at 1.4 or 2 megawatts, but that\u2019s anticipated to be 20 megawatts at some point,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Camacho noted that approximately six other resorts have been permitted to build their own power plants and that some of those are actually under construction. <\/p>\n
He said one of the resorts is a 7-megawatt establishment in Tanapag, and just north of that in San Roque is another is 4- megawatt resort.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo between the two [resort projects], it\u2019s 11 megawatts,\u201d Camacho said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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