Majuro, Marshall Islands β For more than four decades, Power Station 1 (PS1) stood at the heart of Majuro’s electricity system. Since first coming into operation in 1982, the facility powered homes, schools, businesses, hospitals, and government services, becoming one of the most important pieces of infrastructure in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. For generations of Marshallese, PS1 quietly worked around the clock, helping power the nation’s growth and development.
Today, a new chapter is taking shape.
Construction of the new PS1 continues to make steady, visible progress as part of the Renewable Energy Generation and Access Increase (REGAIN) Project. While the original facility faithfully served Majuro for 43 years, the replacement power station is being designed to meet the country’s future energy needs through modern technology, improved operational efficiency, and greater resilience.
None of this progress would be possible without the generous financial support of the World Bank. Their partnership with the Marshall Islands is what turns this ambitious project from a plan on paper into a working power station taking shape in Delap. MEC is proud to lead the implementation, and we are deeply grateful for the trust that has been placed in us to deliver a facility worthy of the community it will serve.
Recent months have focused on the foundations of the new building β the parts of the project that customers do not see, but that everything else will rest on for decades to come. Think of it like building a new home: before the walls go up or the lights come on, the foundation has to be right. Concrete pouring of the cable trench side walls is now complete, transformer foundation formwork has been finished, and work on the genset foundations continues to move forward, with rebar and formwork already in place for the next stage of pouring.
Image: Foundation of new PS1 Building
Overall building progress has now passed the 30% mark, with foundation construction around 70% complete. Preparations are underway to move into slab pouring and column work in the coming weeks. Once these are finished, the project will transition into steel structure installation in the coming months. This is the stage when the shape of the new power station will begin to rise above ground and become visible to the community.
Alongside the physical construction, engineering and design activities continue for the electrical systems, transformers, switchgear, ventilation, and battery energy storage infrastructure that will support the next generation of electricity services. A small but skilled team of local and international workers is on site each day, and MEC is pleased to report that construction has continued without any safety incidents recorded so far.
Although much of the work currently taking place is below ground or behind the scenes, these early construction stages are among the most important. A strong foundation today will support decades of reliable electricity service tomorrow.
When completed, the new PS1 will become far more than just a power station. It will serve as the operational hub for many of MEC’s future investments, including advanced electrical systems, battery energy storage, renewable energy integration, and modern control technologies. The facility is also being designed with improved workshops, enhanced safety systems, better working conditions for employees, and space to support the continued modernization of MEC’s operations.
The project forms a key component of the REGAIN Project, which is modernizing Majuro’s electricity network through investments in solar generation, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and grid upgrades. Together, these investments will strengthen energy security, improve system reliability, reduce dependence on imported diesel fuel, and help prepare the Marshall Islands for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
While the familiar PS1 building may now be part of MEC’s history, its legacy continues to inspire the future. The new facility represents not only an investment in modern infrastructure, but also a continuation of MEC’s commitment to providing safe, reliable, and resilient electricity services for the people of the Marshall Islands for generations to come.
Kommol tata to the RMI Government, to the World Bank, to all our partners, and to the community of Majuro for your continued patience and support as this important work takes shape.
About MEC: MEC is the national electric utility of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), responsible for power generation, transmission, and distribution across the country. MEC is committed to increasing renewable energy penetration and improving energy access for all Marshallese communities. Additionally, MEC is dedicated to helping the RMI achieve its renewable energy and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets under the Paris Agreement.