The End of an Era, The Dawn of a New Beginning
Majuro, Marshall Islands – As the last echoes of demolition equipment fade into silence and the dust settles over what was once Power Station 1 (PS1), we pause to honor a facility that has been far more than just a collection of generators and machinery. For 43 years, from 1982 to 2025, PS1 has been the beating heart of Majuro, the faithful guardian that kept our lights on, our businesses and schools running, and our communities connected to the modern world.
The Beginning: Four Pielstick Engines and a Promise
It was 1982 when PS1 first roared to life. The Marshall Islands had recently gained independence, and with it came the responsibility of building a nation’s infrastructure from the ground up. Four Pielstick engines stood ready in the newly constructed facility, their diesel hearts pumping life into a growing capital. These weren’t just machines; they were symbols of progress, of self-reliance, of a nation taking control of its destiny.
For decades, those Pielstick engines hummed day and night, their rhythmic vibrations becoming as familiar to Majuro residents as the sound of ocean waves. During some periods, MEC used coconut oil from the local copra processing plant as fuel for the Pielstick engines, and the sweet aroma of burnt coconut would drift through the air around PS1, a scent that was loved by the community and is still fondly remembered and talked about today.
The Pielsticks powered the first hospitals, the first schools with electric lights, the first businesses that could operate after sunset. They illuminated countless family dinners, late-night study sessions, and community gatherings that stretched well into the evening.
The Pielstick engines were installed when many of our grandparents were young, and they became the constant hum in the background of daily life for generations. They didn’t just generate power. They fueled memories, progress, and growth. One by one, these faithful servants were retired over the years, with the last Pielstick engine completing a remarkable 43 years of service before being formally decommissioned on April 5, 2024, in a small, reflective ceremony that honored its decades of dedicated service.
A Growing Family: Enter the Caterpillar G5
As Majuro grew, so did its appetite for electricity. Recognizing this need, MEC added a fifth member to the PS1 family, the Caterpillar G5. This engine would prove to be more than just an addition; it became a legend in its own right. For 33 years, the G5 stood as a testament to engineering excellence and unwavering reliability.
Through tropical storms that bent palm trees double, through equipment failures that challenged the entire system, through power surges and unexpected demands, the G5 never wavered. It was the engine that kept running when others needed maintenance; the backup that became a mainstay.
More Than Machinery: The Soul of a Community
But PS1 was never just about the engines. It was about the dedicated men and women who worked tirelessly to keep the power flowing. Generations of MEC employees called PS1 their workplace, their second home. They knew every bolt, every gauge, every sound that each engine made. They could diagnose problems by listening to subtle changes in rhythm, could predict maintenance needs with the gut feeling that comes only from decades of experience.
These workers arrived before dawn and stayed past sunset, understanding that their commitment meant families could cook dinner, students could complete homework, and hospitals could save lives. They worked through holidays, birthdays, and family celebrations because they knew that behind every switch they threw, every repair they made, there were thousands of people depending on them.
Witnessing History: 43 Years of Change
PS1 didn’t just power Majuro. It witnessed its transformation. Those engines hummed as the island modernized, as telecommunications systems connected the Marshall Islands to the world, as computers arrived in offices and homes, and as internet service brought global connectivity to the community. They powered the growth of local businesses, the expansion of healthcare facilities, and the development of educational institutions that would shape generations of Marshallese leaders.
The facility saw the island through economic challenges and natural disasters, through periods of rapid growth and times of careful conservation. It adapted to changing technologies, evolving energy needs, and the increasing sophistication of the electrical grid it anchored.
The Final Chapter: February 10, 2025
On a quiet Monday morning in February 2025, the last operational engine at PS1 (the faithful G5) was finally decommissioned. After 33 years of service, its work was done. As CEO Jack Chong-Gum noted, this wasn’t just a mechanical shutdown; it was the end of an era. The G5 had served longer than many of the people it powered had been alive.
By May 23, 2025, the demolition of PS1 was complete. The building that had housed decades of dedication, progress, and unwavering service was gone, its materials removed to make way for something new. But its legacy—the thousands of nights it kept the darkness at bay, the countless moments of comfort and productivity it enabled—will endure forever.
A New Dawn Rising
Even as we say goodbye to the old PS1, we look forward with excitement and anticipation. The new PS1 building, scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, represents not just technological advancement but the continuation of a sacred trust. With its modern design featuring automated control systems, advanced switchgear, enhanced safety features, and improved working conditions, the new facility honors the legacy of its predecessor while embracing the possibilities of tomorrow.
The new PS1 will feature spacious workshops, comfortable meeting rooms, dedicated parking, and modern amenities that the hardworking men and women of MEC deserve. It will incorporate the latest in fire suppression technology, surveillance systems, and environmental controls. Most importantly, it will carry forward the mission that has defined PS1 since 1982: “Keeping the lights on for the people of Majuro.”
A Heartfelt Thank You
To every engineer, technician, manager, and support staff member who walked through PS1’s doors over the past 43 years—thank you! Your dedication has been the true power behind the power station. To the Pielstick engines that served faithfully for decades, and to the G5 that exceeded every expectation, your service will never be forgotten.
To the families who supported MEC workers through long shifts and emergency calls, to the community members who trusted us with their power needs, and to everyone who understood that reliable electricity is the foundation upon which modern life is built. This tribute is for you too.
The Promise Continues
As the sun sets on the old PS1 and rises on its successor, one thing remains constant: MEC’s unwavering commitment to the people of Majuro and the RMI. The building may be new, the technology more advanced, and the capabilities greater, but the heart of our mission remains unchanged.
We are not just in the business of generating electricity. We are in the business of powering dreams, enabling opportunities, and ensuring that no matter what challenges arise, the lights will stay on. The new PS1 will carry this torch forward, just as the old facility did for 43 remarkable years.
The story of PS1 is not ending. It’s simply turning the page to an exciting new chapter. And like the facility that came before it, the new PS1 will be measured not just by its technical specifications or operational efficiency, but by the countless lives it touches, the communities it serves, and the future it helps to illuminate.
Here’s to 43 years of faithful service, and to the bright future that lies ahead. The lights of Majuro and the RMI burn on, and they always will.
The Marshalls Energy Company extends its deepest gratitude to all who made PS1’s 43-year legacy possible—those who have left us and those who are with us today, past and present. Your dedication to our community will never be forgotten.