(Fadian, Guam) – The Guam Power Authority (GPA) announced the start of Guam’s Public Power Week celebrations from October 6-12, 2024. Every October, GPA joins more than 2,000 U.S. community-powered, not-for-profit electric utilities that collectively provide electricity to 54 million people across 49 states and five U.S. territories in celebrating Public Power Week. American Public Power Association (APPA), of which GPA is a member, coordinates the annual nationwide observation and serves as the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power communications nationwide.

GPA General Manager John M. Benavente, P.E., said, “Each year, GPA joins the national Public Power Week celebrations by recognizing the hardworking men and women of Guam’s public power utility who work each day to provide reliable, safe, and affordable energy for Guam.”

GM Benavente added, “We have so much to look forward to this year. We have made great strides toward realizing a reliable and affordable power supply for Guam through the new 198 MW Ukudu Power Plant. We will begin testing early next year and expect the new power plant to come online by September 2025.”

GPA celebrates Public Power Week by supporting nonprofit organizations

To continue its Public Power Week tradition, GPA organized community-focused events to support nonprofit organizations. Now through October 18, 2024, GPA employees are collecting new toys to benefit children at the Alee Shelter in preparation for the upcoming Christmas gift-giving season and collecting canned goods to benefit The Salvation Army.

GM Benavente said, “Our employees commemorate Public Power Week by organizing community initiatives to support organizations doing great work serving our community. We invite our customers to join us in supporting organizations directly serving residents in need.”

GPA invites the community to join them in making these drives a success. Canned food drive donations must be in their original packaging and not expired. For the toy drive donations, any toys that promote violence or weapon types of toys are prohibited. Both drives will be running concurrently through October 18, 2024.

Donations can be placed in the GPA collection boxes during normal business hours at any of GPA’s Customer Service Center lobby locations:

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER - LOBBY LOCATIONS AND HOURS

GPA Fadian Main Office

Monday-Friday 7:00 am -5:00 pm

Hagåtña Office

Julale Shopping Center

Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

GPWA Upper Tumon Office

Monday-Friday 7:30 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

GPA invites community to cheer on the athletes of the Guam Special Olympics

GPA continues to partner with Special Olympics Guam by sponsoring the Softball Jamboree event on October 19, 2024 from 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Dededo Sports Complex. GPA employees have been volunteering their time to coach and prepare athletes competing in the softball tournament. GPA invites the community to attend the Softball Jamboree and cheer on the incredible teams as they exhibit their skills and compete for coveted trophies.

For more information, contact GPA’s Communications Office at (671) 648-3145 or email to customersfirst@gpagwa.com.