SAIPAN — Commonwealth Utilities Corporation held a detailed public briefing Wednesday evening outlining the current state of power and water restoration following Typhoon Sinlaku, with officials disclosing that Power Plant 4 is down to a single functioning engine serving only the hospital after a second engine failed overnight, while water restoration has reached roughly 45 percent of wells and scored key wins in Kagman and parts of Susupe, CK and Dandan.
Executive Director Kevin Watson, Utility Coordinator Joel Hoepner, T&D Engineer Jonathan Camacho and CFO Betty Terlaje presented the update to the media.
Power: Hospital Only, Waiting on Plant 1
Power Plant 4 currently has three engines rated at 2 megawatts each, but one failed overnight Tuesday after CUC briefly energized primary lines to Crowne Plaza and Marianas Beach Resort. As of the briefing, only the hospital, CHCC, is receiving power from the CUC grid. The failed engine’s cause had not been determined at the time of the interview.
The main hope for broader power restoration is Power Plant 1, which sustained severe roof and wall damage during Sinlaku, causing extensive water damage to engines and control panels. Engineers have been working around the clock drying out the control room, which Camacho said is about 80 to 85 percent complete.
Engine 1, rated at 5.5 megawatts, is the first target for testing. If that comes online, it would allow CUC to synchronize the Aggreko system, adding another 12 to 13 megawatts and enabling the energization of primary distribution lines across the island.
Watson said the 90-day mark is CUC’s goal for broader restoration, though he declined to make a firm promise given ongoing challenges. Engines 2 and 3 at Plant 1 sustained water damage and are not ready for testing. Engine 4 would follow Engine 1 if testing goes well.
The Guam Power Authority is sending 49 personnel, including electrical engineers and line crews, scheduled to arrive Saturday. They have been assigned to Sector 2 of the distribution system. CUC has also placed orders for additional concrete and wooden power poles, with 662 confirmed down.
Camacho noted that only 10 concrete poles fell in the storm compared to hundreds of wooden poles, affirming the ongoing shift to concrete.
FEMA is also exploring temporary generator power to supplement the plant while repairs continue, though Watson said the logistics of installing a fuel system for a large FEMA generator could take considerable time.
Camacho urged the public not to cut or remove downed conductors, warning that if service drops are missing when primary lines are energized, CUC cannot commit repair resources to individual households and will have to skip them and return later.
Water: 45 Percent of Wells Online, Key Wins in Kagman, Susupe and Chalan Kanoa
Hoepner said approximately 45 percent of CUC’s wells are now online, powered by a combination of CUC generators, 33 FEMA generators and Army Corps of Engineers units.
Key updates by area:
-Kagman is 100 percent restored and has been for approximately two days, including a new 1 million gallon tank that was filled and tested before release.
-Puerto Rico and parts of Garapan and the federal building area on Middle Road have maintained 24-hour service for several days.
-Susupe, Chalan Kanoa and parts of the west side received water for the first time Wednesday, described by Hoepner as a significant milestone.
-Isley Field has been CUC’s top priority for five days, with three of five line crews dedicated to the area. FEMA debris clearing crews assisted access after CUC workers initially used their own machetes and chainsaws.
-Dandan homestead has had all-day water service for several days but lost service Wednesday due to a Papago leak. A broken inch-and-a-half pipe was found and repaired at 11:30 a.m., and Hoepner said Papago and Dandan service should resume Thursday.
-Kanat Tabla has no water due to a damaged tank with no top. CUC engineers are working on either a bypass valve solution or a temporary tank.
-Navy Hill and Calhoun lost a CUC generator Wednesday but a vendor-supplied replacement was installed.
-Gualo Rai is at risk of losing water if a generator issue is not resolved.
-Marpi got one additional well online Wednesday with two more pending a transformer repair. San Roque and Tanapag are receiving limited water and are expected to improve as Marpi wells come back.
Hoepner said three Rota water operators arrived Wednesday to assist. He also credited BECQ staff and EPA personnel from San Francisco, who are walking distribution lines to find leaks.
CUC’s public call for residents to report leaks on social media generated significant response and led to major finds.
On the question of a timeline for full water restoration, Hoepner said it depends largely on the rate at which FEMA and the Army Corps can deploy additional generators. He said CUC receives notice of new generator installations roughly a day in advance and cannot project beyond that.
CUC workers are operating 12 to 15 hour shifts seven days a week. Camacho asked the public to slow down around line crew vehicles and to say hello when they see crews working.
