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The Marshalls Energy Company (MEC) announced that $18,703,000 in funding from the United States has been approved for the acquisition and installation of three additional generators for the Majuro power plant. This significant investment, provided through the Compact of Free Association annual economic assistance program, will substantially improve power generation capacity and reliability across the Marshall Islands, said MEC CEO Jack Chong Gum. The funding approval was confirmed by Minister of Finance David Paul late last week, with the grant officially issued by the US Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs on October 30. A Memorandum of Agreement is currently being prepared for execution by the RMI government, the Attorney General’s Office, and MEC to facilitate the issuance of funds. The project has a performance period through September 30, 2028. “This is one of those priceless moments,” said Chong Gum. “These three new generators will significantly enhance our power generation capacity, reduce outages, and provide more stable and reliable electricity to homes, businesses, schools, and health facilities on Majuro.” MEC said the addition of three new generators will deliver long-term benefits to residents and businesses, including: Enhanced power reliability by dramatically reduced frequency and duration of power outages across all service areas. Increased power generation capacity to meet growing energy demands and support expanding infrastructure. Improved quality of life with more consistent, reliable power for households, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and essential services. Stable electricity infrastructure will support business growth, attract investment, and create employment opportunities. Infrastructure resilience through strengthened energy security and emergency preparedness for the nation. Cost savings using modern, fuel-efficient equipment that reduces operational expenses and eliminates costly generator rental fees. The newly approved US funding of $18.7 million for generators represents one component of MEC’s unprecedented infrastructure modernization program, totaling over $130 million in grant funding from international donors and the RMI government. This represents the largest infrastructure investment in MEC’s history. In addition to the US $18.7 million: The Asian Development Bank is providing $40.7 million for fixing MEC’s fuel tank farm, support an energy security project to reduce power system losses, and implementing solar-to-grid. • The World Bank is providing $94 million for four new generators installed on Ebeye and two new generators to be installed on Majuro, four megawatts of solar photovoltaic power to the MEC grid, two MWh battery energy storage system, support for hybridization of MEC’s power plants in the outer islands (Jaluit, Wotje, Rongrong), mini-grids for community-scale renewable energy in Arno and Ine, Arno Atoll, Kili Island power system hybridization; and heavy equipment procurement including crane trucks, backhoes, forklifts, and bucket trucks for MEC operations. David Paul, Jack Chong Gum, Marshalls Energy Company, Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior, World Bank funding
