By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Guam ratepayers may still be able to keep their power costs down even after the expiration of the energy credit program by participating in the "Beat the Peak" campaign, according to the Guam Power Authority.
The second extension of the Prugråman Ayuda Para I Taotao-ta Energy Credit was applied to all active GPA accounts on Sept. 30.
“The fifth and final increment of the Prugråman Ayuda Para I Taotao-ta Energy Credit program was posted to all active customer accounts over the weekend, which means that customers will see the credit listed in their accounts immediately and on their next bill," GPA General Manager John. M. Benavente said.
He said GPA has processed the $5.27 million payment from the Department of Administration for the September energy credit.
The $500 PrugråmanAyuda Para I Taotao-ta Energy Credit program started in May and ended with the September billing.
The second extension of the credit was authorized by Public Law 37- 16, signed into law on May 22.
"GPA reminds customers that they will no longer receive the monthly $100 credit on their power bills," the power agency said.
“In previous months, our team has been reminding customers about the program’s end so they can prepare," Benavente said.
He said some legislators have expressed interest in extending the program for another term.
"However, we also know that many customers need to continue to keep their costs down each month," Benavente said.
The GPA official endorsed the "Beat the Peak" initiative, which encourages households and businesses to reduce their energy consumption between the high-demand hours of 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.
This initiative, according to GPA, "helps customers to save and reduces the demand of the islandwide power system.
"If we all work together to reduce the demand on the IWPS, we can minimize the instances of load shedding," GPA said.
GPA said it has worked to keep baseload units Cabras 1 and 2 stable and get the Yigo combustion turbine generator back online to support the island’s needs until the new Ukudu Power Plant is commissioned in 2026.
The Ukudu power plant was originally scheduled to start operating in April, but GPA said extensive damage caused by Typhoon Mawar has stalled the project.
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