Guam Power Authority recognized as Smart Energy Provider

Photo caption: Pictured front row from left are Joyce N. Sayama, Communications Manager; John J. Cruz Jr., P.E., Assistant General Manager of Engineering and Technical Services; John M. Benavente, P.E., General Manager; Jennifer G. Sablan, P.E., Assistant General Manager of Operations; Maripaz N. Perez, Assistant Chief Financial Officer. Back row from left are Francis J. Iriarte, SPORD Engineer Supervisor; Melvyn K. Kwek, Chief Information Technology Officer; Lorraine O. Shinohara, Acting SPORD Manager; Albert N. Florencio, SPORD Engineer III; Christian Chargualaf, SPORD Engineer I; Juliana Maria F. Baza, SPORD Engineer III; Roman A. Sablan-Cruz, SPORD Administrative Officer; James Borja, Utility Services Administrator; Harvey J. Camacho, SPORD Management Analyst III; Vincent J. Sablan, P.E., Manager of Engineering. (Guam Power Authority)

(Fadian, Guam) — Guam Power Authority (GPA) has earned a Smart Energy Provider (SEP) designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for demonstrating a commitment to and proficiency in energy efficiency, distributed generation, and environmental initiatives that support the goal of providing safe, reliable, low-cost, and sustainable electric service. Kris Sellstrom, Energy and Gas Resources Manager at Jamestown Board of Public Utilities in Jamestown, New York, and chair of APPA’s Energy Innovation Committee, presented the designations on November 13, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas during APPA’s annual Customer Connections Conference.

The SEP designation, which lasts for two years (December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2025), recognizes public power utilities for demonstrating leading practices in four key disciplines: smart energy program structure; energy efficiency and distributed energy resources programs; environmental and sustainability initiatives; and customer experience. GPA joins more than 90 public power utilities that hold the SEP designation. This accolade is the third consecutive designation, as GPA also earned the APPA SEP designation in 2019 & 2021. In 2019, GPA was one of 67 that received the initial SEP designation award amongst over 2,000 public power utilities nationwide.

“SEP-designated utilities have demonstrated their leadership in smart energy programs and services,” said Sellstrom. “This designation celebrates utilities that are committed to serving their customers while taking the extra step to plan for the future. Communities served by utilities that have earned the SEP designation should be proud of their utility’s accomplishments.” Page 2 of 2

“GPA has shown remarkable progress in achieving the metrics required by SEP. GPA will achieve top score in the next round of SEP applications. Continuous, measurable improvement propels GPA forward towards better customer service,” said John J. Cruz, Jr., P.E. Assistant General Manager of Engineering and Technical Services.

“We are honored to be recognized as a utility at the cutting edge of smart energy best practices,” said John M. Benavente, P.E. GPA General Manager. “This SEP designation represents our dedication to offering programs that help our customers save money, reduce our collective environmental impact, and support our community’s responsible energy use. With existing and additional renewables coming online and the new 198 MW Ukudu Power Plant scheduled for commissioning in September 2025, reaffirms GPA’s commitment in providing reliable energy at an affordable and sustainable basis,” concluded Benavente.