Northern Mariana Islands Territory Energy Profile



Northern Mariana Islands Quick Facts

  • The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) meets nearly all of its energy needs with imported petroleum products. In 2021, refined petroleum products were CNMI’s top import and accounted for 18% of the Commonwealth’s total import costs that year.
  • Electricity customers in CNMI pay a fuel surcharge that varies with the price of diesel fuel. In May 2020, the fuel surcharge was at a low of 8 cents per kilowatthour, but it rose to a high of 43 cents per kilowatthour by July 2022. In February 2024, CNMI's fuel surcharge was about 25 cents per kilowatthour.
  • The CNMI Office of Planning and Development has received proposals for several large solar energy projects in recent years. A large 20-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) facility on Saipan is in development and scheduled to come online in 2025.
  • CNMI's electric utility generates electricity at five diesel-fueled power plants (three on Saipan and one each on Tinian and Rota) and the territory’s entire population has access to electricity.
  • In 2022, electricity sales in CNMI were at their highest level since 2017, and the price per kilowatthour was at its lowest level since 2016. However, the average electricity price in CNMI was twice the U.S. 50-state average in 2022.

Last Updated: March 21, 2024



Data

Last Update: September 19, 2024 | Next Update: October 17, 2024

+ EXPAND ALL
Economy  
Population and Industry Northern Mariana Islands United States Period
Population 0.1 million 328.2 million 2019  
Gross Domestic Product $ 1 billion $ 19,552 billion 2018  
Prices  
Electricity Northern Mariana Islands United States Period
Residential NA 16.41 cents/kWh Jun-24  
Commercial NA 13.10 cents/kWh Jun-24  
Industrial NA 8.44 cents/kWh Jun-24  
Reserves  
Reserves Northern Mariana Islands United States Period
Recoverable Coal NA 251,539 million short tons 2021  
Capacity Northern Mariana Islands United States Period
Total Electricity Installed Capacity NA 1,201 million kW 2022  
Imports & Exports  
Total Imports Northern Mariana Islands United States Period
Crude Oil Imports NA 7,768 thousand barrels/day 2018  
Natural Gas Imports 0 billion cu ft 3,024 billion cu ft 2022  
Coal Imports 0 thousand short tons 6,313 thousand short tons 2022  
Total Exports Northern Mariana Islands United States Period
Crude Oil Exports NA 2,048 thousand barrels/day 2018  
Natural Gas Exports 0 billion cu ft 6,904 billion cu ft 2022  
Coal Exports 0 thousand short tons 85,956 thousand short tons 2022  
Supply  
Production Northern Mariana Islands United States Period
Total Energy 0 trillion Btu 99 trillion Btu 2022  
Crude Oil, NGPL, and Other Liquids -- 17,936 thousand barrels/day 2020  
Natural Gas - Gross 0 billion cu ft 36,353 billion cu ft 2022  
Coal 0 thousand short tons 593,608 thousand short tons 2022  
Total Utility-Scale Net Electricity Generation Northern Mariana Islands United States Period
Total Net Electricity Generation NA 4,292 billion kWh 2022  
Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Coal Net Electricity Generation -- 2,553 billion kWh 2022  
Total Electricity Generation from Renewable Sources NA 973 billion kWh 2022  
    »  Hydroelectric NA 255 billion kWh 2022  
    »  Other Renewables NA 718 billion kWh 2022  
Consumption  
by Source Northern Mariana Islands United States Period
Total Energy 0 trillion Btu 95 trillion Btu 2022  
Total Petroleum Products -- 20,010 thousand barrels/day 2022  
    »  Motor Gasoline NA 8,810 thousand barrels/day 2022  
    »  Distillate Fuel NA 4,026 thousand barrels/day 2022  
    »  Liquefied Petroleum Gases -- 1,375 thousand barrels/day 2021  
    »  Jet Fuel NA 1,560 thousand barrels/day 2022  
    »  Kerosene NA 5 thousand barrels/day 2022  
    »  Residual Fuel NA 329 thousand barrels/day 2022  
    »  Other Petroleum Products NA 1,923 thousand barrels/day 2022  
Natural Gas 0 billion cu ft 32,288 billion cu ft 2022  
Coal 0 thousand short tons 515,555 thousand short tons 2022  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions  
by Source Northern Mariana Islands United States Period
Total Fossil Fuels 0 million metric tons 4,941 million metric tons 2022  
Petroleum -- 2,260 million metric tons 2022  
Natural Gas 0 million metric tons 1,742 million metric tons 2022  
Coal 0 million metric tons 939 million metric tons 2022  

Analysis



Last Updated: March 21, 2024

Overview

CNMI meets nearly all of its energy needs with imported petroleum products.

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the newest U.S. territory, consists of a chain of 14 islands in the western Pacific Ocean almost 3,900 miles west of Hawaii and about 1,600 miles east of the Philippines.1,2,3,4 The Mariana island chain rises from the ocean floor at the western boundary of the Mariana Trench, which contains the deepest known place on Earth, the Challenger Deep, at about 36,000 feet below the sea's surface.5,6 CNMI includes all the islands in the Mariana Islands Archipelago except Guam, the southernmost island of the chain. The Commonwealth stretches about 430 miles northward in an arc from Guam toward Japan.7 The northern, mostly uninhabited, islands are the tops of volcanic mountains, some of which are active. The southern islands, although volcanic in origin, are not mountainous and have limestone terraces derived from uplifted coral reefs on top of volcanic rock.8,9 Located in the tropics about 1,000 miles north of the equator, CNMI has solar energy resources and, because of the volcanic origin of the islands, it may have geothermal potential as well.10 Wind resources are present but frequent typhoons make development of those resources challenging. The Commonwealth has no fossil fuel energy resources, and CNMI meets nearly all of its energy needs with imported petroleum products.11,12,13,14

The Northern Mariana Islands are about 179 square miles in area, which is collectively about two-and-a-half times the size of Washington, DC. The territory has a tropical marine climate with a dry season from December to June, and a rainy season from July to November.15 Typhoons generally occur between May and December and can be devastating.16,17 In October 2018, Super Typhoon Yutu, a category 5 typhoon with sustained winds of 180 miles per hour, extensively damaged the CNMI islands of Saipan and Tinian.18 Federal funds and other aid were sent to repair the islands' infrastructure damaged by the typhoon.19,20

Virtually all of CNMI's population and economic activity is on three of its islands—Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. All three are located at the southern end of the island chain. About 9 in 10 of the territory's residents live on the 46 square miles of Saipan, the largest island in CNMI.21,22 The territory's total population declined from more than 69,000 in 2000 to an estimated 51,000 in 2023.23,24 The closure of several garment factories contributed to the population drop. Foreign contract workers left when the garment factories, once the territory's largest industry, closed in the early 2000s.25,26 As a result, CNMI has a small industrial sector and about 9 of every 10 workers are employed in the service economy, which includes government.27 As manufacturing decreased, the accommodations and gaming industries increased. Tourism, led by vacationers from Asia, and tourist spending, particularly at casinos, contributed a significant share to the territory's gross domestic product (GDP).28 As a result, CNMI's economy is affected by external factors like the weather and global economic factors. In 2018, the territory sustained significant typhoon damage and real GDP declined despite post-typhoon reconstruction activity, in part because the number of visitor arrivals decreased.29 In 2020, a decline in tourism, the result of the suspension of international flights because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, further adversely affected the CNMI economy and the territory's GDP fell 29.7%.30 However, after reaching a low point in 2021, visitor numbers began to increase. In 2022, the number of visitors was five times greater than in the previous year but only one-tenth of what it had been in 2017.31

Petroleum

The Northern Mariana Islands do not have any proved crude oil reserves, production, or petroleum refineries.32,33 In 2021, refined petroleum products were CNMI's top import and accounted for almost one-fifth of the Commonwealth's total import costs that year.34 Ships bring refined petroleum products through harbors on Saipan and Tinian.35 CNMI imports a variety of refined petroleum products, including diesel fuel for electricity generation as well as diesel fuel and motor gasoline for marine and land transportation.36 U.S. law allows use of less expensive, high-sulfur motor gasoline in the Pacific territories.37 CNMI's three international airports—one on Saipan, one on Tinian, and one on Rota—import jet fuel and aviation gasoline . The territory also imports butane and propane for restaurant and household cooking.38,39

Electricity

Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC), a government corporation, provides electric power and drinking water on the populated islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. CUC also provides wastewater service on Saipan, where most of the territory's population lives.40 Five diesel-fueled power plants—three on Saipan and one each on Tinian and Rota—supply the territory with electricity. On Tinian and Rota the CUC owns the plant sites and equipment, but independent power producers generate the power. CNMI has more than 66 megawatts of operating electricity generating capacity with another 31 megawatts in reserve. Most of the territory's generating capacity is on Saipan, where about 90% of CNMI's population lives.41 In 2019, the territory's five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy included proposals for a high efficiency replacement of a diesel-fueled power plant on Saipan and a dual fueled replacement of the power plant on Rota, as well as two new solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants—one on Tinian and one on Rota.42

The commercial sector, led by tourism, is the largest electricity-consuming sector in the CNMI.

The Northern Mariana Islands are vulnerable to tropical storms including powerful typhoons and typically are hit by at least one typhoon each year.43 In 2015, Saipan's power generation and distribution system was badly damaged by Typhoon Soudelor, which led to several months of power outages and disruptions of the public water supply and wastewater treatment systems.44,45 In September 2018, Super Typhoon Mangkhut devastated Rota and destroyed much of that island's energy infrastructure, and a month later Super Typhoon Yutu, the strongest storm ever recorded in the Mariana Islands, hit Saipan and Tinian and damaged critical infrastructure.46,47,48 CUC received federal funds to repair and harden facilities damaged by the typhoons. CUC also developed plans to use the funds for power plant upgrades, concrete power poles, and underground transmission lines to avoid future storm damage.49,50 More recently Typhoon Mawar, with winds in excess of 140 mph, tore off roofs and downed trees and power poles on Rota, causing widespread power outages.51,52

The commercial sector, led by tourism, is typically the largest electricity-consuming sector in the Northern Mariana Islands.53 CNMI hotels use electricity for air conditioning, water heating, water purification, and lighting. Most large hotels on Saipan have installed their own generators to use when the power grid is unreliable or when fuel surcharges are too high.54 Between 2015 and 2018, CNMI's electricity consumption increased by 30% as the number of visitors to the territory increased.55 In 2020 the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism caused total electricity sales in the Northern Mariana Islands to decline as electricity sales to the commercial sector fell. However, electricity sales to the residential sector rose as more people remained at home. In 2022, electricity sales to the residential sector declined and sales to the commercial sector rose substantially from the previous year as tourism increased.56,57,58

Electricity customers in CNMI pay a fuel surcharge that is added to the base rate. The fuel surcharge is an adjustment that varies with the average of a set of Singapore-based oil prices. In February of 2024, the fuel adjustment charge was about 25 cents per kilowatthour.59,60 Given the historic volatility of petroleum prices, CUC has developed plans to improve its existing power system and diversify its diesel-dependent generation with renewable-sourced electricity.61,62 Two of the diesel-fueled power plants on Saipan are more than 50 years old.63

In 2015, the CUC worked on an integrated resource plan (IRP) to evaluate power plant replacement options that would reduce dependence on petroleum and accommodate proposed development and increased tourism to the islands.64 In 2021, CUC updated and adopted the IRP to address the need to modernize aging facilities and implement new technologies, including renewable generation.65

Renewable energy

The Northern Mariana Islands are about 1,000 miles north of the equator and are considered the sunniest islands in Micronesia. Because of their abundant sunshine, solar energy is the territory's primary renewable energy resource.66 In 2022, CNMI had about 5 megawatts of net metered customer-sited solar powered generation, which was about 11% of the islands' total electricity generation.67 In 2021, the CNMI public school system began installing solar energy systems at all 20 of its public schools, converting them from reliance on the CUC grid to on-site renewable generation.68 In 2022, Marianas High School became the first school to activate its solar energy system.69

In 2021, the CNMI public school system began installing solar energy systems at all 20 of its public schools.

The CNMI Office of Planning and Development received proposals for several large solar energy projects in recent years.70 Currently, a large 20-megawatt solar PV facility on Saipan is in development. When complete it will be the first utility-scale solar farm in the territory and will have a battery electric storage system. The intermittent and variable power from larger projects, and the small size of each island's grid, require careful integration and power balancing of island transmission systems. The 20-megawatt solar PV project is scheduled to come online in 2025.71 Small-scale solar power projects already exist across CNMI's inhabited islands.72,73

CNMI also has installed several small-scale wind projects, and the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota may have wind resources suitable for larger commercial turbines, but potential wind turbine sites are limited because the islands are mountainous and suitable land is scarce. Wind turbines must withstand typhoons but not interfere with airstrip and military facilities or negatively impact several threatened bird species.74 Even so, there are some small onshore wind installations in CNMI.75 In 2022, federal legislation opened offshore waters around the U.S. territories, including CNMI, to wind energy development. The legislation requires the federal government to call for information and nominations for offshore wind leases within the exclusive economic zones of territorial waters by September 30, 2025.76

The Northern Mariana Islands are in an active volcanic region, and several of the uninhabited northern islands have active volcanoes. However, there are no active geothermal projects and the territory's geothermal potential is not known.77 Other projects in the Northern Mariana Islands that aimed at reducing reliance on fuel imports included waste-to-energy feasibility studies and energy efficiency projects such as the installation of high-efficiency public street lighting.78,79,80

In 2006, the CNMI government enacted a renewable portfolio standard (RPS). The RPS' initial target was for renewable energy to supply 10% of the territory's electricity sales by 2008, increasing to 80% by 2014. In 2014, CNMI reduced the target to 20% by 2016.81 Although the 2016 target was not met, several public facilities and schools installed small-scale (less than 1 megawatt) solar PV and wind projects.82,83 In 2014, CNMI also created a net metering program that required the CUC to offer net metering to its commercial and residential retail electricity customers with renewable energy systems up to 10 megawatts. However, the combined capacity of all net metering on each of the islands cannot exceed 30% of CUC's system peak demand on the island where the system is located. Net metering is prioritized for the public health and education sectors.84,85,86 By August 2019, 391 residential, commercial, and government accounts, or about 2.5% of all CUC customers, participated in net metering. In January 2024, the number of net metered customers participating in net metering had increased to about 535 customers, about 3% of all CUC customers.87,88,89

Natural gas

The Commonwealth has no natural gas reserves and does not produce, import, or consume natural gas.90 However, liquefied natural gas (LNG) use, dual fuel capability, and LNG storage tanks at new power plants have been proposed.91

Coal

The Commonwealth has no coal reserves and does not produce, import, or consume coal.92

Endnotes

1 CNMI Office of Planning and Development, 2019 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update (April 30, 2019), p. 5.
2 U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Coral Reef Information System, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), accessed February 20, 2024.
3 DistanceFromTo, Distance from Northern Mariana Islands to Hawaii, accessed February 20, 2024.
4 DistanceFromTo, Distance from Northern Mariana Islands to Philippines, accessed February 20, 2024.
5 U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Coral Reef Information System, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), accessed February 20, 2024.
6 Wattles, Jackie, and Amaya McDonald, "6 incredible facts about the Challenger Deep, the deepest point on Earth," CNN (June 23, 2023).
7 CNMI Office of Planning and Development, 2019 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update (April 30, 2019), p. 9.
8 U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Coral Reef Information System, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), accessed February 20, 2024.
9 Pacific RISA, Northern Mariana Islands, accessed February 20, 2024.
10 Distance.to, Distances from Saipan, accessed February 20, 2024.
11 U. S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Transition Initiative, Islands, Energy Snapshot, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, DOE/GO-102015-4683 (June 2015), p. 2, 3.
12 U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Northern Mariana Islands, Profile Data, Reserves, accessed February 20, 2024.
13 U. S. Department of Energy, Energy Transition Initiative, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Energy Snapshot, DOE/GO-102020-5413 (June 2020).
14 Observatory of Economic Complexity, Northern Mariana Islands, accessed March 12, 2024.
15 U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook, Country Summary, Northern Mariana Islands, accessed February 21, 2024.
16 Baring-Gould, Ian, et al., Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Initial Technical Assessment Report, U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/TP-7A40-50906 (July 2011), p. 3.
17 Chiu, Allyson, Chris Mooney and Juliet Eilperin, "Category 5 typhoon Yutu devastates the Northern Marianas in worst storm to hit any part of U.S. since 1935," Washington Post (October 25, 2018).
18 Wong, Alia, and Lenika Cruz, "The Media Barely Covered One of the Worst Storms to Hit U.S. Soil," The Atlantic (November 14, 2018).
19 U.S. Economic Development Administration, "U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $11.2 Million to Rehabilitate Roadway Infrastructure in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands," Press Release (February 4, 2021).
20 United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, "FEMA Grants Additional Funds for Super Typhoon Yutu Recovery," reliefweb (November 6, 2020).
21 Baring-Gould, Ian, et al., Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Initial Technical Assessment Report, U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/TP-7A40-50906 (July 2011), p. 3.
22 CNMI Office of Planning and Development, 2019 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update (April 30, 2019), p. 2.
23 U.S. Census Bureau, "Census Bureau Releases 2020 Census Population and Housing Unit Counts for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands," Press Release (October 28, 2021).
24 U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook, Northern Mariana Islands, Country Summary, People and Society, Population, accessed February 22, 2024.
25 Goworowska, Justyna, and Steven Wilson, Recent Population Trends for the U.S. Island Areas: 2000 to 2010, U.S. Census Bureau (April 2015), p. 11, 21.
26 "3 remaining garment firms to close down," Saipan Tribune (January 6, 2009).
27 Children's Health Living (CHL) Center, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, accessed February 22, 2024.
28 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, "CNMI GDP increases in 2017, Growth led by tourism and gaming industry revenues," Press Release (October 18, 2018).
29 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, "Gross Domestic Product for the CNMI, 2019" Press Release (April 6, 2021).
30 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, "Gross Domestic Product for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 2020," Press Release (January 31, 2023).
31 Marianas Visitors Authority, Strategic Plan Toward Sustainable Tourism Industry 2021-2031 (June 4, 2021), p. 3-5.
32 U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Northern Mariana Islands, Profile Data, Reserves and Supply, accessed February 23, 2024.
33 U.S. EIA, Number and Capacity of Petroleum Refineries, Total Number of Operable Refineries, Annual as of January 1, 2023.
34 Observatory of Economic Complexity, Northern Mariana Islands Imports, accessed February 23, 2024.
35 Commonwealth Ports Authority, Port of Saipan and Tinian Harbor, accessed February 23, 2024.
36 Baring-Gould, Ian, et al., Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Initial Technical Assessment Report, U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/TP-7A40-50906 (July 2011), p. 6, 21.
37 U.S. Government Printing Office, Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 80, Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives, Sections 80.382, 80.608, accessed February 23, 2024.
38 Commonwealth Ports Authority, Saipan International Airport, Tinian International Airport, Rota International Airport, accessed February 23, 2024.
39 CNMI Department of Commerce, LFP Housing Characteristics 2017 by Fuel Cooking Fuel Type, accessed February 23, 2024.
40 Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, About CUC, accessed February 23, 2024.
41 Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Services, Electric Power Generation, accessed January 20, 2023.
42 CNMI Office of Planning and Development, 2019 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update (April 30, 2019), p. 73-75, D-5.
43 Shea, Eileen L., et al., Preparing for a Changing Climate: The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change (October 2001), Chapter Two, Pacific Islands Region, p. 9
44 "Typhoon Soudelor Becomes World's Most Powerful Storm This Year After It Trashes Northern Marianas," ABC News (August 4, 2015).
45 U.S. Congressman Sablan, The Northern Mariana Islands, "Typhoon Soudelor—Recovery continues," Press Release (August 31, 2015).
46 "Rota in shambles after Typhoon Mangkhut," New Zealand Radio (September 12, 2018).
47 Watanabe, Masako, "Super Typhoon Yutu slams Northern Mariana Islands with 180 mph winds," USA Today (October 18, 2018).
48 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Administration, "Super Typhoon Yutu: One Year Later," Press Release (October 24, 2019).
49 Nauta, Justine, "$36M grant for CUC OK'd," Saipan Tribune (November 16, 2020).
50 Cabrera, Bea, "Buried power lines eyed," Saipan Tribune (February 7, 2019).
51 Hansen, Kathryn, "Typhoon Mawar," National Air and Space Administration Earth Observatory, accessed February 25, 2024.
52 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Island Impacts Associated with Super Typhoon Mawar (02W), May, 2023 Press Release (June 1, 2023).
53 U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Transitions Initiative, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Energy Snapshot (June 2020), p. 1.
54 Baring-Gould, Ian, et al., Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Initial Technical Assessment Report, U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/TP-7A40-50906 (July 2011), p. 10.
55 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, "CNMI GDP increases in 2017, Growth led by tourism and gaming industry revenues," Press Release (October 17, 2018).
56 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, "Gross Domestic Product for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 2020, Gross Domestic Product by Industry and Compensation by Industry, 2019," Press Release (January 31, 2023).
57 "CNMI visitor arrivals up 80% in October 2023," Saipan Tribune (November 20, 2023).
58 U.S. EIA, Electric Power Annual, Table 12.7. Northern Mariana Islands, 2011-22.
59 U.S. EIA, "Risk of oil supply disruptions can have an immediate effect on oil prices," Today in Energy (January 311, 2020).
60 Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Rates and Tariffs, Electric, accessed February 25, 2024.
61 CNMI Office of Planning and Development, 2019 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update (April 30, 2019).
62 Todiño, Junhan B., "CUC: 17 renewable-energy projects this year," The Guam Daily Post (February 13, 2018).
63 Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Territorial Climate and Infrastructure Workshop, Multi-Source and Renewable Power Supply System Development (March 2022).
64 U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, 2015 Integrated Resource Plan, accessed February 25, 2024.
65 De La Torre, Ferdie, "CUC board adopts Integrated Resource Plan," Saipan Tribune (March 5, 2021).
66 Shea, Eileen L., et al., Preparing for a Changing Climate: The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change (October 2001), Chapter Two, Pacific Islands Region, p. 9.
67 Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Territorial Climate and Infrastructure Workshop, Multi-Source and Renewable Power Supply System Development (March 2022).
68 Erediano, Emmanuel T., "CNMI schools launch solar energy system," The Guam Daily Post (Updated December 1, 2021).
69 Erediano, Emmanuel, "MHS solar energy system activated," Marianas Variety (October 13, 2022).
70 CNMI Office of Planning and Development, 2019 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update (April 30, 2019), p. 75.
71 "CUC in first phase of renewable energy project," Marianas Variety (February 17, 2023).
72 U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Transitions Initiative: Islands, Energy Snapshot, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, DOE/GO-102015-4683 (June 2015), p. 3.
73 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Office of the Governor, "36 kW Solar Photovoltaic System for Rota Aquaponics Underway," Press Release (July 28, 2022).
74 Baring-Gould, Ian, et al., Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Initial Technical Assessment Report, U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/TP-7A40-50906 (July 2011), p. 27-37.
75 U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Transitions Initiative: Islands, Energy Snapshot, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, DOE/GO-102015-4683 (June 2015), p. 3.
76 Webster, Joseph, and Elina Carpen, "Does the IRA make US offshore wind the "next big thing?," Atlantic Council (October 25, 2022).
77 U. S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Transition Initiative, Islands, Energy Snapshot, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, DOE/GO-102015-4683 (June 2015), p. 2, 3.
78 Conrad, Misty Dawn, and J. Erik Ness, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Strategic Energy Plan (July 2013), p. 17.
79 "$3.5M Energy Grants for Territories," Saipan Tribune (July 5, 2017).
80 Todiño, Junhan B., "CUC wants to upgrade streetlights," Marianas Variety (May 19, 2020).
81 U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Transitions Initiative: Islands, Energy Snapshot, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, DOE/GO-102015-4683 (June 2015), p. 1, 2.
82 U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Transitions Initiative: Islands, Energy Snapshot, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, DOE/GO-102015-4683 (June 2015), p. 3.
83 Todiño, Junhan B., "CUC: 17 renewable-energy projects this year," The Guam Daily Post (February 13, 2018).
84 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, House of Representatives, H. B. No. 18-165, SD1 (September 4, 2014).
85 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, House of Representatives, Public Law No. 18-75 (February 13, 2015).
86 NC Clean Energy Technology Center, DSIRE, N. Mariana Islands, Net Metering, updated February 4, 2024.
87 De La Torre, Ferdie, "More CUC customers avail of net metering," Saipan Tribune (October 16, 2019).
88 De La Torre, Ferdie, "Terlaje: Net metering does not work for CUC," Saipan Tribune (January 5, 2024).
89 U.S. EIA, Electric Power Annual, With Data for 2022, Table 12.7.
90 U.S. EIA, International, Northern Mariana Islands, Data, Natural Gas, accessed February 23, 2024.
91 CNMI Office of Planning and Development, 2019 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update (April 30, 2019), p. 74, D-5.
92 U.S. EIA, International, Northern Mariana Islands, Data, Coal and Coke, accessed February 23, 2024.


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