Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. In July 2022, funding was secured, and a consultant selected for the Rio-Santo Electrical Power System project. The project will deliver reliable and sustainable electricity to the island of Santo, also referred to as Third Island, Enebur, or Ennibur, on Kwajalein Atoll.
Santo is home to more than 1000 inhabitants, whose sole source of electricity on the island is portable gas-driven emergency generators and small solar powered photovoltaic systems. An inconsistent gas supply and maintenance issues has led to frequent outages and unreliable electrical services for the residents.
The power source is an existing underutilized 4,160-volt medium voltage concrete encased underground feeder at the U.S. Army base on Roi-Namur, which is less than 2 miles northwest of Santo. The project includes the installation of a medium voltage submarine cable from Roi-Namur to Santo, with connection points at First and Second Islands for future expansion. The electrical transmission system will be designed for easy operation and maintenance and to be resilient to the harsh island climate.
Jack Chong-Gum, CEO for MEC and KAJUR, said that the Kwajalein Leadership and Kwajalein Atoll Development Authority (KADA) championed the initiative to provide municipal electric power to the island. “The opportunity to tap into the existing power source on Roi-Namur will provide the Santo community with reliable electricity without having to invest in their own power generation facility, which can be very expensive and difficult to maintain,” stated Chong-Gum. “More than 300 people work at Roi Namur, contributing to the U.S. Army’s mission,” he continued. “We are pleased that the Army is contributing to the betterment of the Santo community”.
While the Marshalls Energy Company, Inc. (MEC) will be leading the design and construction of the project, Kwajalein Atoll Joint Utility Resources, Inc. (KAJUR) will be the owner of the project when it is completed. MEC and KAJUR are currently working closely with U.S. Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll (USAG-KA) staff. The consultant completed the bathymetric (underwater) survey in April 2023 and is working with project stakeholders such as the EPA to determine the best possible route of the cable across the lagoon. In August 2023, the Earth Moving Permit Application was submitted to EPA; one each for terrestrial and marine. In September 2023, RMI EPA joined forces with NOAA to conduct an independent dive along the proposed route producing a flora and fauna survey. Their findings and recommendations were provided to the consultant for incorporation into the design. The alignment of the proposed underwater cable is to avoid disruption of corals. Recommendations made by EPA were incorporated into the concept design and included in the submittal in November 2023.
The project design will continue to progress and include periodic reviews by USAKA. Cosntruction will be broken out into 3 phases: Underwater cable, Distribution System on Santo, and Cable Receiving Station Buildings that will house the major electrical components, one each on Roi and Santo. The cable receiving station on Santo will feature an office with monitoring system and coms to Roi, a customer service station for cash power, bunk rooms with shower/toilets for visiting technicians, rainwater catchment, fuel storage, and space for equipment, cable and replacement parts. Construction for certain phases may begin as soon as the 2nd half of 2024.
Funding was made available by the US Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs, through Compact of Free Association funding for fiscal year 2022. The Joint Economic Management and Financial Accountability Committee (JEMFAC) approved the infrastructure assistance funds.
Kudos to the Kwajalein Atoll Leadership and KADA for their vision and commitment to improving the quality of life of the community on Santo Island.
Figure 1. Google Earth photo showing proposed electrical distribution from Roi-Namur, through First and Second Island, to Santo.
