Rolling power black outs on Rota prompt generator purchase.

In the Northern Marianas, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation has approved the purchase of a minimum of two megawatts of temporary power, to make up for the shortfall they have been experiencing.

Residents of Rota have had to cope with weeks of rolling blackouts.

Of the six 2.5-megawatt Mitsui generators on Rota, only one is currently operating at a capacity of 1.5 megawatts, and is nearly 40 years old.

The island is currently relying on the Rota Resort's generator, but at best it is only a stopgap measure or backup for the main power supply.

The Board of Directors authorised an emergency procurement of a 2-megawatt engine, which can be installed and commissioned within 18-24 months.

The Corporation said that the emergency procurement will allow the utilities company to choose a vendor that can bring the engine to Rota, for temporary power generation, while there is an overhaul of power generators at its main power plant.