Turning waste into energy

MAJURO – A $2 million waste-to-power investment by one of the biggest corporations in the United States is underway at the Marshall Islands Energy Company’s power plant in Majuro.

“We’re going full throttle to have this in operation by July when the Pacific Power Association meets in Majuro,” said Marshalls Energy Company general manager David Paul.

The investment is by General Electric in waste heat-to-energy conversion equipment that is being installed at the power plant. It will save utility company money and generate additional electricity for Majuro consumers.

General Electric was listed as the ninth biggest US corporation in 2014 by Fortune magazine. Marshalls and General Electric officials agreed to the over $2 million deal last year.

Paul said that engineers from the company arrived on island in late April to work with power plant engineers to set up and install the equipment.

“It is expected to take two months to assemble,” said Paul, who called the energy efficiency equipment being installed a “big deal” for the Marshall Islands.

Majuro will be the showcase for this technology when representatives of power plant companies from around the Pacific get together in Majuro on July 13-17 for their annual meeting.