Ebeye, Marshall Islands – KAJUR is pleased to announce the arrival of two new Cummins containerized generators on Ebeye. The generators arrived at the Ebeye dock on December 28, 2025, and will soon be transported to the KAJUR power plant. This important investment provides immediate relief for Ebeye’s power supply while longer-term infrastructure improvements are underway.
Why Ebeye Needs New Generators Now
KAJUR currently operates four high-speed generators at the Ebeye power plant. However, these generators have been working hard for many years and have exceeded their expected lifespan. High-speed generators are typically designed to run for about 20,000 hours before needing major repairs or replacement. Two of KAJUR’s existing generators have already logged over 30,000 running hours, with one approaching 40,000 hours—nearly double what they were designed for.
This wear and tear has led to serious problems. Last year, Engine 1 suffered a damaged cylinder that required extended repairs, and Engine 3 developed a faulty thermostat. With multiple generators down for maintenance at the same time, KAJUR did not have enough power capacity to meet Ebeye’s electricity needs during peak hours. This forced KAJUR to implement a power rationing schedule—something no one wants but was necessary to prevent complete system failure.
Perhaps most importantly, KAJUR had no backup generators available. When equipment fails at a power plant, having backup units ready to step in is critical. Without backup capacity, any equipment problem immediately affects the entire community.
An Interim Solution for Immediate Needs
The two new generators are Cummins Model C1250D2RCC-1 units, each rated at 1,400 kVA for prime use. These are the same brand and type as the existing generators at the Ebeye power plant, which means KAJUR’s technicians are already familiar with how to operate and maintain them. The generators come in weatherproof containers designed to withstand Ebeye’s marine environment, where salt air and humidity can easily damage electrical equipment.
It is important to understand that these new Cummins units are an interim solution to address KAJUR’s immediate power crisis. Like all high-speed generators, they are not designed for decades of heavy use. High-speed generators typically have shorter operational lifespans compared to medium-speed units. The existing high-speed generators at KAJUR are proof of this—they are already operating well beyond their expected useful life. These new units will provide much-needed backup capacity and help prevent power rationing while KAJUR works toward a permanent solution.
A specialist from Cummins will be travelling to Ebeye in February 2026 to install and commission the new units.
The Long-Term Plan for Reliable Power
KAJUR and MEC are actively working on permanent solutions to ensure Ebeye has reliable power for generations to come. The long-term plan includes two major projects:
New Power Plant Building: MEC is currently reviewing bid documents for the design and construction of a new KAJUR power plant building on Ebeye. The project is targeted to be publicly advertised in February 2026. The construction site is the old engine room at the current power plant, which is in very poor condition and will need to be demolished and rebuilt. This new facility will provide a modern, properly designed space to house KAJUR’s power generation equipment.
New Medium-Speed Generators: The long-term plan also calls for three to four new CAT diesel generator sets, each with a continuous capacity of at least 2.2 MW. Unlike the current high-speed generators, these will be medium-speed units operating at 720 rpm. Medium-speed generators are built for extended, heavy-duty use and have much longer operational lifespans than high-speed units. This investment is part of MEC’s long-term sustainability plan to standardize generator equipment across all its power plants throughout the Marshall Islands, which will make maintenance more efficient and reduce costs over time.
Funding and Support
The interim generator project was made possible through funding provided by the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands through the Kwajalein Atoll Development Authority (KADA). The total investment of over $705,000 demonstrates the Government’s and KADA’s commitment to addressing Ebeye’s immediate power needs while longer-term solutions are developed.
Acknowledgments
The Board of Directors, along with the management of MEC and KAJUR, extend their sincere gratitude to those who made this project possible:
- The Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
- The KADA Board of Directors and Executive Director Anjojo Kabua for providing the funding
- Kwajalein Atoll leadership, including our Senators, the Mayor, and Iroijlaplap Michael Kabua for their leadership and support
Their collective support has made it possible to address Ebeye’s immediate power challenges while we work toward a permanent solution for the island’s future.
A Message from KAJUR Management and Staff
“We operate from the farthest edges of the global supply network—an immense logistical challenge that defines our daily work. Yet our truest test is not distance, but the air we breathe: an intensely corrosive marine environment that wages a constant, unseen battle against our essential infrastructure.
This hostile atmosphere threatens the optimal uptime of every critical asset we manage: the generators powering our community, the distribution network delivering electricity, and the vital water and sewer systems ensuring public health.
As the KAJUR Team—the dedicated individuals who perform the essential work—our resolve is unbreakable. We have answered, and will continue to answer, these daily challenges with pride, innovation, and perseverance. With every available resource and every effort we can muster, we dedicate ourselves to overcoming these obstacles, ensuring the continuity and integrity of the services you rely on.
We are KAJUR. We are resilient.”
Looking Ahead
KAJUR remains committed to providing safe and reliable power to the people of Ebeye. The arrival of these new generators is an important step in stabilizing the island’s power supply in the near term. At the same time, KAJUR and MEC are moving forward with plans for a new power plant facility and new medium-speed generators that will serve the community for decades to come. We thank the community for their patience during recent power rationing periods and look forward to improved service in the months ahead.
Updates on the KAJUR power plant building construction and acquisition of new CAT generators will be shared as these projects progress. Continue to visit the MEC website at www.mecrmi.com.