Efforts to electrify parts of Saipan have received a much-needed boost with the arrival in the Northern Marianas of the first batch of reconditioned transformers.
The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation acting executive director, John Riegel, says the 180 reconditioned transformers are the first of 486 ordered from Kansas City.
A further 800 new transformers have been ordered.
Mr Riegel says the transformers will enable the electricity provider to increase the speed at which they hook up customers.
CUC has collected 635 damaged transformers following Typhoon Soudelor, which crippled the utility's power and distribution grid in August.
Initial damage from Typhoon Soudelor in Saipan Photo: Mark Rabago