By: L.N. Reklai
September 29, 2017 (Koror, Palau) Furthering the work on improving Palau national power grid, Palau Public Utilities Corporation and JICA Study Team signed an MOU outlining expected outcomes of an on–going study to assess Palau existing power grid and identify improvements it need in order to meet Palau’s projected power requirement by 2030.
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PPUC CEO Kione Isechal and Mr. Mitsuhisa Nishikawa, head of JICA Project Team consisting of Yachiyo Engineering Co. Ltd, and Kansai Electric Power Co, Inc., signed off on the MOU.
JICA Project Team consists of power companies contracted by JICA to make an assessment of Palau’s power infrastructure and make recommendations for improvement and expansion.
“This is a part of an ongoing work to improve our national power grid. Basic outcome will include stringing a second line along the power lines between Malakal and Aimeliik power plant. It will also include power lines from the Capital down the east coast to Airai to provide power lines to an area that is not currently covered. This will provide PPUC with redundancy so that when power is disrupted, we can switch to another line to prevent what we are experiencing now,” stated CEO Isechal.
Expected recommendations include improvements and expansion of substations and re-alignment of power lines along the Babeldaob road.
“We were fortunate that this study was able to be incorporated into the grant for renewable energy project. We informed them that we can’t have renewable energy programs if our power grid is not efficient. And they agreed and included this complete assessment in that grant.”
Final report is expected to be completed by early next year. [/restrict]