SAIPAN — Plant 1 Diesel Engine 1 came online Friday generating 5.5 megawatts, marking the first significant power production from the primary generation facility since Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck on April 13, according to JIC Update 022 issued Saturday. CUC followed Saturday afternoon with an advisory that it was energizing portions of Lower Base, Garapan and Middle Road beginning at 5 p.m.
The JIC also issued a correction to Friday’s shelter population figure. The previously reported count of 302 was a reporting error. The corrected total is 442 shelterees across Saipan and Tinian as of April 30.
Power
Plant 1 Diesel Engine 1 is now producing 5.5MW after a load transfer from Plant 4 was performed to allow Feeder 1 energization. Plant 3’s backup generator is producing 2,545 kWh. Plant 4 transferred its load to Plant 1 to support critical facility energization. Aggreko synchronization with Plant 4 continues for additional load capacity. Wall repairs to prevent water ingress into Plant 1 switchgear are 80 percent complete.
Saturday’s afternoon advisory from CUC confirmed active energization of Lower Base, Garapan from Beach Road between Hotel Street and the former Atkins Kroll, and Middle Road from Lower Miha to IT&E Oleai. CUC warned all residents with generators or solar systems to turn off their main circuit breakers immediately to protect line crews.
The Guam Power Authority’s first wave of crews arrived Saturday. A second wave is expected Sunday morning.
Infrastructure totals remain: 624 poles down, 552 transformers out, 15,624 customers without power including 11,769 residential accounts.
Water
Saipan water infrastructure improved with 59 percent of wells and facilities now online, up from 50 percent Friday. Of the 80 operational wells, 25 are connected to the CUC power grid and 32 are running on CUC generators. Customer access remains at 49 percent. The boil water notice remains in effect. Koblerville and Kagman water filling stations remain closed. Four filling stations remain open daily.
Shelters
The shelter population is 442, corrected from the 302 figure in JIC 021, which the JIC attributed to a reporting error. The corrected figure represents the cumulative count since April 30. Nine shelter sites remain active on Saipan and two on Tinian.
Federal Assistance — Commodity Distribution Schedule
HSEM and FEMA have announced a three-date commodity distribution schedule for Saipan. Water and MREs will be distributed at the Airport Field on May 4 starting at 9 a.m., at the Koblerville Youth Center on May 6 starting at 9 a.m., and at the Garapan Fishing Base on May 8 starting at 9 a.m. All distributions run until supplies last.
Aviation
United Airlines announced it will suspend its Narita-Saipan route from May 7 through July 10, 2026. Daily Guam-Saipan service continues. The suspension compounds the loss of T’way Air’s Seoul-Saipan service beginning May 5.