Majuro, Marshall Islands – Twenty miles of vulnerability—that’s the current distance between protection points on the Laura power line, a gap that has left hundreds of customers susceptible to widespread outages, but not for much longer.
Recent and frequent unplanned power outages affecting the area from the airport VCB to the end of Laura have prompted the MEC to develop both immediate, medium and long-term solutions. After Distribution personnel spent days locating the cause—a burnt section of the underground power line—several critical improvements have been identified for implementation in the short to medium term.
New VCB Installation
A new Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB) will be installed between the airport VCB and the Laura VCB. Currently, the distance between these two existing VCBs spans approximately 20 miles, creating a large area vulnerable to complete power loss when faults occur. A new building with air conditioning will be constructed to house this equipment, with design work already begun.
This improvement is particularly valuable because it will significantly reduce the geographical area affected when power interruptions occur. By strategically placing this additional VCB at the midpoint of this extended line segment, power disruptions can be better isolated, preventing widespread outages and allowing for faster service restoration. When faults are detected, only a portion of the 20-mile stretch will lose power rather than the entire area, substantially improving service reliability for customers.
But this is just the first step in MEC’s comprehensive plan to revolutionize the Laura line’s performance…
Digital Protection System Implementation
As the new VCB creates a stronger backbone for the system, attention turns to making the entire network smarter through advanced technology.
Negotiations are currently underway with the sole bidder for a digital protection system. This advanced technology represents a significant upgrade from traditional protection mechanisms because it offers more precise fault detection and isolation capabilities.
The digital system will be able to identify the exact location of faults more quickly, automatically isolate the affected sections, and maintain power to unaffected areas. This improvement will dramatically reduce the time required to locate problems and restore service, resulting in shorter outage durations for customers and less revenue loss for MEC.
An important feature of this new system is remote operation capability. Currently, when MEC needs to turn off power at a Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB), operators must drive to the physical location – sometimes over long distances – to manually operate the switches. This process can take hours, especially during emergencies or bad weather.
With the new digital protection system, operators at the power plant will be able to control these switches with a click of a button from the control room. Think of it like turning on lights in your home with a smartphone app instead of having to walk to each switch. The system works by installing special motorized controls on each VCB that can receive signals through a communication network. When an operator sends a command from the control center, these signals travel through the network to the right VCB, which then turns on or off accordingly.
This remote capability will save valuable time during outages, allow for faster power restoration, and reduce the need for personnel to travel to VCB locations during storms or at night.
For families in the Laura area, this means no more extended waiting periods wondering when power might be restored, as the system will dramatically reduce both detection and response times.
With the network becoming more intelligent and responsive, MEC will then focus on upgrading the critical components that form the system’s foundation…
Transformer Configuration Upgrades
All wye-wye transformers along the affected route will be replaced with delta-wye transformers. This configuration change is essential because delta-wye transformers provide improved grounding and better handling of unbalanced loads.
By implementing this change, greater stability in the distribution system will be achieved. Simply put, delta-wye transformers act like better filters for the electrical system. When problems occur on one part of the line, delta-wye transformers help prevent these problems from spreading to other areas.
The delta-wye configuration creates an electrical barrier between the input and output sides through its unique wiring arrangement. This design provides several important benefits:
- If electricity accidentally touches the ground on one side, the problem stays there and doesn’t cause issues on the other side
- Unwanted electrical “noise” gets trapped instead of traveling through the whole system
- Power surges (like from lightning) are better blocked from damaging equipment
- The system has a better path to ground, making it safer
Think of it like having a water filter that catches dirt before it can spread through all your pipes.
MEC already has delta-wye transformers available on island, but resource limitations have slowed their installation. Despite these constraints, gradually replacing these transformers remains a priority as each replacement significantly improves reliability for customers along the Laura line.
For local businesses, these transformer upgrades mean fewer voltage fluctuations that can damage sensitive equipment, providing more consistent power quality that supports economic activity.
While these internal upgrades improve the system’s operation, equally important changes are being made to adapt to the emerging challenges of climate change…
Raise Underground Cable Joints and Connections
Cable joints and connections that are currently underground will be raised and housed in sectionalized cabinets. This critical improvement addresses not only maintenance challenges but also emerging threats posed by climate change.
When the underground cable system was originally installed more than 40 years ago, no seawater was observed in the trenches during installation. Today, however, water appears almost immediately when digging begins, even during low tide periods. This dramatic change reflects rising sea levels and increasing tidal inundation, creating hazardous conditions for electrical infrastructure.
Tidal water now regularly inundates these underground joints and can cause dangerous short circuits when seals are broken or improperly installed. By housing these connections in accessible cabinets above ground, the risk of seawater infiltration will be significantly reduced while simultaneously making inspection and repairs more efficient.
This climate adaptation measure will protect critical infrastructure from increasingly frequent saltwater exposure, while maintenance personnel will be able to quickly access, test, and repair connection points without extensive digging operations that are both labor-intensive and time-consuming. These improvements will substantially reduce both the frequency and duration of outages experienced by customers while increasing the overall resilience of the power system against climate-related challenges.
As these infrastructure improvements take shape, MEC is also transforming how it approaches system maintenance…
Distribution Preventative Maintenance Program
A comprehensive preventative maintenance program for the distribution system will be implemented. This systematic approach to infrastructure care is essential because it allows potential issues to be identified and addressed before they cause outages.
Regular inspections, testing, and component replacement will be conducted according to established schedules. Through this proactive stance, the overall reliability of the system will be improved, and the lifespan of expensive equipment will be extended. Customers will benefit from fewer unexpected outages, while MEC will realize cost savings through reduced emergency repairs and extended equipment life.
Unlike today’s reactive approach, which addresses problems only after they cause outages, the preventative maintenance program will help MEC stay ahead of potential failures, creating a more stable and predictable power supply.
With the physical system becoming more robust, attention turns to one of the most common causes of overhead line disruptions…
Establish a Dedicated Tree-Trimming Team
A Tree Trimming Unit will be established with the sole responsibility of clearing branches near overhead power lines. This focused approach is necessary because vegetation encroachment is a leading cause of outages in areas with overhead distribution systems.
By maintaining proper clearances between vegetation and power lines, the risk of outages caused by falling branches or trees during storms will be substantially reduced. This initiative will have a direct positive impact on service reliability, particularly during adverse weather conditions when customers most need dependable power service.
For those who have experienced the frustration of power loss during windy days, this dedicated approach to vegetation management means fewer weather-related interruptions and a more consistent power supply throughout the year.
A Message from the CEO
“I want to personally thank our valued customers for their patience and understanding during the recent outages affecting the areas from the airport to Laura. The MEC team is working diligently to implement these critical improvements as quickly as our resources allow.
These upgrades represent our commitment to providing reliable service to every household and business we serve. While some of these changes will take time to fully implement, each step forward brings us closer to a more stable and resilient power system that can better withstand both today’s challenges and tomorrow’s climate uncertainties.
We understand the frustration that comes with power interruptions, and I assure you that our dedicated staff are doing their utmost to minimize disruptions while we make these essential improvements. The end result will be worth the wait – a power system that serves our community more reliably for years to come.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to build a better and resilient energy future for the RMI.”
/s/ Jack Chong-Gum
Chief Executive Officer
MEC
