Work to restart Saipan’s main power plants remains uncertain, with Commonwealth Utilities Corporation Executive Director Kevin Watson acknowledging that CUC is “not confident” it can bring Power Plants 1 and 2 back online soon due to extensive storm damage.
Asked during a recent briefing how confident the utility is in restarting the plants, Watson was direct: “We’re not confident. So we’re still in the process of drying it out.”
Power Plant 1 suffered major roof and wall failures during the typhoon, allowing water to inundate engines and control systems. Watson said crews are using industrial heaters to dry equipment before attempting a controlled test of a single engine to determine whether the plant can safely return to service. Power Plant 2 faces similar uncertainty.
The lack of clarity comes as CUC continues to promote a 90‑day goal for substantial power restoration across Saipan — a timeline Watson repeatedly described as a target rather than a guarantee. “Ninety days is what our goal is,” he said. “But we can’t sit here and make that promise, as we continually run into issues, even with our power plant 3.”
Power Plant 3, which supports dozens of water wells, has been tripping frequently due to salt and moisture affecting outdoor electrical components, underscoring how fragile the system remains even in areas where power has been partially restored.
CUC is counting on at least one engine at Power Plant 1 to synchronize with a large temporary generator system provided through federal support. That integration would significantly boost available capacity, but Watson warned that every step — drying, testing, and synchronization — carries technical risks.
He said FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Guam Power Authority are providing critical support through temporary generation, fuel logistics, materials, and line crews. Still, Watson emphasized that until CUC can confirm safe operation of key units at Plants 1 and 2, the restoration timeline will remain fluid.
As of April 29, 15,624 customers on Saipan remain without power, including 11,769 residential customers. CUC has confirmed 662 power poles down across the island.
