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PPUC targets 200-minute annual outage benchmark with major grid upgrades

Battery storage systems expected to cut solar curtailment costs by 95% and reduce diesel dependence By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (May 27, 2026) — The Palau Public Utilities Corporation is targeting a major improvement in power reliability by reducing annual outage times from about 1,200 minutes to 200 minutes while advancing renewable energy management through […]

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President Orders Development of Government Building Standards

By: Laurel Marewibuel Koror, Palau — President Surangel S. Whipps Jr.  signed Executive Order No. 502 directing the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries to develop consolidated building standards and a code for all government‑funded construction projects. Minister Charles Obichang, Ministry of Public Infrastructure & Industries oversees national infrastructure improvements. In absence of a national […]

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Billions Promised, But Bottlenecks Persists: GAO Flags Compact Delays Affecting Palau

Report warns bureaucratic hurdles in both Palau and Washington could weaken strategic and economic goals  By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau – (May 7, 2026) A new U.S. government watchdog report is raising concerns that delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks tied to Compact of Free Association funding could undermine Palau’s fragile economic recovery, critical public services and […]

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Whipps rejects $60M Malakal Port appraisal as ‘bogus,’ stalling negotiations

Dispute over $15M valuation raises tensions between national government and Koror State By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (April 2, 2026) — “The $60 million appraisal is bogus,” President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. said, as negotiations between the national government and the Koror State Government over the proposed purchase of Malakal Port stalled over sharply differing […]

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Palau Secures First Saudi Loan, Launches $15M Housing Push Through NDBP

Historic deal shifts development bank into direct builder role, targeting affordable homes for Palauans By: L.N. Reklai “This is a historic day in Palau and Saudi relations,” President Surangel Whipps Jr. said, as Palau signed its first-ever loan agreement with Saudi Arabia, marking a new partnership and a major shift in how the National Development […]

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Palau launches Phase 2 of public bus service with more routes, frequency and app

By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau  (April 6, 2026) — Palau’s public bus service rolled out Phase 2 on Thursday, boosting frequency, expanding routes and adding a web-based trip planner to make commuting more reliable for workers, students and families. The Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development, through its Bureau of Development, announced the […]

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