The Marshalls Energy Company has initiatives in progress that aim to solve problems at the power plant, with its fuel storage tanks and its power distribution system.
In a briefing with the Journal, MEC CEO Jack Chong Gum said these initiatives include:
• A loan application to the US Rural Utilities Service for funding to purchase two new 2.5 megawatt engines that would be installed in the “old” power plant, replacing two of the old Pielstik engines.
• A visiting Asian Development Bank team expressed interest to support grant funding to repair MEC’s tank farm, which includes eight 750,000 gallon tanks and two smaller “day tanks.” Because of rust and corrosion damage, MEC currently uses only three of the eight tanks.
• Digital meters are to be installed on every power pole in Majuro to determine electricity losses through the distribution system. This is being funded by ADB and going out to bid for a supply and installation contract soon.
While MEC waits for RUS review of its request for funding to buy two new engines, work on refurbishing engine number five in the old power plant is complete and it’s in a testing phase.
Chong Gum said it has been running well during the testing and is likely to be back on line in the next few days. This should allow for engine number six, one of the two larger generators, to be turned off to allow for urgently needed maintenance work, he said.
Read more about this in the May 18, 2018 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.