What's happening at the Marshalls Energy Company's power plant?

A drone photograph shows the MEC’s power plant number two, with Delap Dock in the background. Photo: Tyler Milne. After 18 months of delay due to Covid border lockdowns, a World Bank-funded revamp of power systems at the Marshalls Energy Company is moving into its next phase.

What does the Marshalls Energy Company do?

“The Marshalls Energy Company is a semi-autonomous utility company responsible for the generation, distribution and sale of electricity on a number of islands and atolls within the Republic of the Marshall Islands.”

Where are Marshalls Energy's Solar panels located?

The Marshalls Energy Co.’s solar panels are on school and government building rooftops. Photo courtesy of Marshall Islands Energy Co. In order to stabilize power service, the Marshalls Energy Co. was forced to import more than half-a-dozen rental containerized generators last year that currently provide the backbone of Majuro’s power.

How long does it take to build Marshalls power plant?

Demolition and clearing of the first power plant which opened in 1982, is nearly completed with construction of the new facility expected to start later in May. The new plant building is expected to take about seven months to construct, Jack Chong-Gum, CEO of the Marshalls Energy Co., said.

What is going on with Majuro's power system?

International donors and the Marshall Islands government have lined up to fund a huge overhaul of the power system for Majuro. This funding includes: ADB’s ongoing nearly $13 million grant that is supporting rehabilitation of the utility company’s six-million-gallon fuel storage tanks — the largest in this part of the Pacific region.