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(Fadian, Guam) – GPA General Manager John M. Benavente, P.E., together with the Consolidated Commission on Utilities (CCU), proudly announce the Guam Power Authority’s 55-year anniversary milestone operating Guam’s electric public power utility, owning assets of about a billion dollars ($1B), employs a workforce of over 400 and serves approximately 52,000 customers.
On May 8, 1968, GPA separated from then Public Utilities Agency of Guam (PUAG) and commenced operating as an autonomous agency and then as a public corporation.
“As GPA celebrates 55 years of service to its ratepayers and our island, I reflect on the many changes and challenges we have persevered through to become the world-class electric utility GPA is today,” said Benavente.
“On May 8, 2023, I especially acknowledge and thank the hard-working men and women at GPA, as well as our retired employees who all, in one way or another, contributed to the growth and success of our island’s sole electric power utility, which benefits our ratepayers, and entire island community. Each one of them helped improve the quality of life for all of us who call Guam home,” added Benavente.
Consolidated Commission on Utilities Chairman Joey T. Duenas added, “Congratulations to the men and women of GPA on 55 years of service to the people of Guam. The utility, through its very capable, highly-skilled and dedicated public service professionals, has successfully addressed the many challenges posed by growth and new innovations, always striving to better serve the people of Guam. I look forward to our GPA employees continuing to forge ahead to even greater success,” concluded Duenas.
A proclamation signing by Acting Governor of Guam, Joshua F. Tenorio proclaiming May 8th, 2023, in acknowledgment and celebration of GPA’s 55 years of service to Guam and her people, and recognizing all GPA workers for their commitment to being forward thinkers, as they continue working toward bringing needed energy solutions to our island, was held today at the Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo Adelup Complex. Biba Guam Power Authority!
Guam Power Authority (GPA)
55-Years of Public Power Electric Utility Service for Guam
FACTS-AT-A-GLANCE
On May 8, 2023, the Guam Power Authority (GPA) celebrates 55 years of service to Guam. Looking back over the years, GPA reflects on its growth and perseverance through the many changes, hardships, and challenges impacting its operations as Guam’s sole provider of electricity.
Advancing five years forward from GPA’s 50th anniversary milestone, unexpected and various issues impacted all GPA operations. The global health crisis of the COVID-19 Pandemic, necessitated changes to GPA’s plant, field, business, and customer services operations. GPA acted quickly and responsibly, implementing various employee and customer public health protections and by pivoting commercial and residential customer service delivery. Online, mobile app, and Pay-by-Phone service features were implemented for customer convenience and safety. Additionally, the GPA Fadian location opened a new Drive-Thru payment option for contactless customer servicing. Additionally, GPA offered payment plan options to help keep customers’ electrical service flowing and their lights on. Service disconnections were also suspended temporarily. Staff ingenuity and dedication, and the support of their families made the impossible, possible during this unprecedented and challenging time.
Furthermore, GPA has made strides in order to move towards reducing the carbon footprint, establishing the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) also known as the Clean Energy Master Plan (CEMP), to help shape and prepare the power system for the next generation. CEMP is a comprehensive plan for transitioning Guam from legacy fossil fuel fired generation to renewable energy and non-greenhouse gas emission electric energy supply. GPA is committed to providing 50% of the island’s electric power from renewable or non-greenhouse gas emissions sources by 2030 and 100% by 2040. The CEMP is a living document and continuously being updated with the most recent update to the plan completed and approved by the Consolidated Commission on Utilities (CCU) and Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in 2022. It is GPA’s roadmap to a clean, reliable, affordable, and resilient energy future. It identifies about $230M in upgrades and new technology to integrate renewables.
Today, all GPA power plants operate burning cleaner fuels to comply with the USEPA national emission standards. The conversion to cleaner fuel is part of GPA’s Clean Energy Master Plan and satisfies a Federal Consent Decree that required all of Guam’s generators to convert to cleaner burning fuel. The Cabras 1 & 2 baseload units run on 0.2% low sulfur residual fuel oil and the Piti 8 & 9 units are now running on ultra-low sulfur fuel. The conversion has significantly reduced overall emission, resulting in cleaner air and environment-friendly plant operations.
In 2019, GPA signed an energy conversion agreement (ECA) with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) to build a clean and efficient base load power plant. The project started in July 2022, with scheduled commissioning planned for 2024. When operational, the new Ukudu power plant will allow for a reduced, affordable fuel LEAC rate, and provide 198 megawatts of new capacity to improve reliability and strengthen the power grid system. The technology of the Ukudu base load power plant will allow GPA to burn cleaner ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuels, resulting in the saving of millions of dollars in reduced fuel costs, and will reduce SO2 emissions. This will then allow for the retirement of GPA’s older and less-efficient power plants.
Operational since March 2021, GPA’s world class utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) has assisted in eliminating most of the short duration power outages caused by generator and renewable intermittency trips. The system works to smooth out the fluctuation solar output and monitor the frequency, reacting accordingly to stabilize the island-wide grid system.
In July 2022, KEPCO Mangilao Solar, LLC (KMS) and GPA commissioned the 60 megawatts Solar photovoltaic (PV) farm in Mangilao. The 141,000,000 kWh contracted from KMS each year will produce energy for 14,000 residential customers for an entire year. The solar farm is another important step toward reducing Guam’s reliance on imported oil, estimated at 300,000 barrels in the first year. This addition marks a total of 85 megawatts of utility scale solar onto GPA’s power grid.
The U.S. Navy has been a customer of GPA for over 30 years. In July 2022, the U.S. Navy extended its contract with GPA as the primary power provider for Guam’s Naval Base and Naval Installations for an additional 10 years. The signing signifies a continuing partnership and confidence in Guam’s energy future. The Navy-GPA agreement allows the Navy to transfer power assets including substations and transmission and distribution lines to GPA at no cost, ultimately benefitting GPA’s ratepayers. The U.S. Navy has now been a customer of GPA for over 30 years.
GPA’s energy delivery system is managed through a Power System Control Center and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. GPA continues to make investments to strengthen and improve the utility infrastructure by installing hardened power poles, constructing concrete housings for critical substations to placing vital power lines underground of which key businesses and high-density residential areas is serviced by underground transmission systems. Extension of 115kV transmission line into southern Guam is being pursued and a significant inventory of essential materials, parts and equipment is maintained on island. GPA invested in standby generators for critical water and wastewater assets, invested in advanced meter infrastructure thru smart grid technology to modernize infrastructure, reduce costs and increase customer satisfaction. Through GPA’s smart meter technology customers can monitor and control their power consumption through MyEnergyGuam. GPA continues to invest in its fleet to ensure it has adequate supply of heavy and light vehicles. GPA deploys 25 bucket trucks in its fleet. In 2023, additional hybrid electric bucket trucks will be added, designed to help lower fleet vehicle emissions. GPA transitioned to newer technology, installing LED streetlights. The LED lights are brighter, have a longer lifespan and are more energy efficient, resulting in cost savings for ratepayers, and contributes to improved safety and higher visibility for our island community.
For several years now, GPA has implemented the Energy Sense Rebate Program that offers cash rebates for customers purchasing more energy-efficient home appliances. The program encourages conservation and lower energy consumption. Over 31,000 rebate applications have been processed, and over $9M in rebates have been paid out since 2015. In August 2022, the GPA’s rebate application process was automated. The online rebate application process improves the overall accuracy, efficiency and processing of rebates and provides the ability to track the progress of rebate applications online. It saves time and can easily be done at the comfort and convenience of the customer’s home. Through its customer engagement and energy sense programs, GPA has provided customer assistance and outreach programs to the community. The programs offer energy conservation and energy savings tips to assist ratepayers in managing their energy consumption, and achieving savings on their electric power bills.
GPA’s new website was launched in early 2023 allowing customers to experience a new and improved user-friendly online experience. The website is designed to be a robust online tool that allows GPA to better serve its commercial and residential customers.
To address workforce attrition and the shortage of utility skilled workers, GPA implemented a successful Apprenticeship & Training Program. GPA's rigorous registered Apprenticeship Program trains and develops highly-skilled apprentices to become journeymen electric linemen. The apprentices must successfully complete 6,000 hours of on-the-job instruction with certified electric tradesmen and 144 hours of annual classroom training. Approximately 33% of GPA's current electric journeymen graduated from the Apprenticeship Program. GPA’s apprentices gain the specialized skills needed in the power industry locally and worldwide. GPA’s Internship programs have been established in several key areas including Engineering, Finance, and Information Technology.
GPA’s vision and mission support greener energy solutions in the utility’s transition to adding additional renewable energy technologies, to include continuing to promote energy conservation and efficiency for both commercial and residential ratepayers.
In this 55th year, and in the years to come, the leadership and employees of the Guam Power Authority, will deliver GPA’s mission. Familian GPA are the more than 400 hardworking employees who are committed to powering our island and keeping the lights on. They convey the resilience, determination, ingenuity, innovativeness, and hardworking spirit necessary in performing their work professionally, for the people of Guam.
This year, GPA also reflects on its history and having transitioned over the years from appointed board governance, to today’s elected Consolidated Commission on Utilities (CCU). The CCU commissioners, directly responsible and accountable to the voters of Guam, is now in its 21st year serving as GPA’s governing board. Their combined talent and professional expertise guides and results in excellent policy decisions for our utility, the ratepayers, and the community. Biba GPA!
