South Korea offers to build solar plant

SAIPAN – South Korea’s Energy Solutions Co Ltd says it is interested in constructing a 10-megawatt solar power plant on Saipan.

In a letter to Governor Eloy S. Inos, the company’s Saipan representative Baik Hong Sik said they are interested in building a partnership with Commonwealth Utilities Corp (CUC) and the CNMI government.

“We have sent one of our personnel to visit the island to witness first-hand its beauty and to assess how we can support the sole electricity provider and the government in its efforts to supply power and energy to the community,” he added.

According to Sik, Saipan as an island tourist destination is a good place to develop and to market worldwide.

Although the island has seen a decline in the number of investors in the past, he said Saipan’s future is now bright because of the projected increase in the number of tourists due to the construction of an integrated resort and casino.

“He said investing in a solar power plant “will be one of the best investments not only for the company but also as a way to help the community.”

Sik said their company will finance the construction of the power plant within the time frame required by CUC or the CNMI government.

The company, he added, will also directly finance “the materialisation of the project and its future operation,” adding that should the government decide to purchase the solar power plant, “all income in the form of rebates, tax breaks or other incentives will go directly to them.” - Marianas Variety