Guam's new power plant expected to launch before the year's end

By Mar-Vic Cagurangan

The Guam Power Authority will fire up the Ukudu Power Plant for reliability 

testing on Dec. 14 , marking the final and most critical step toward the facility's commissioning and commercial operation launch by the end of the year.

GPA is optimistic that the reliability testing phase, which will run for seven days, ushers Guam into the last stop before implementing its centerpiece strategy to modernize the island’s energy generation and reduce dependence on imported fuel.

The combined-cycle power plant in Dededo, with a capacity of 198MW, was initially scheduled to be fully commissioned on Sept. 30, but the launch has since been repeatedly delayed due to a glitch detected during system testing.

Built by Guam Ukudu Power led by a KEPCO/Korea East-West Power consortium, the $562 million power plant will replace GPA’s aging plants and allow the agency to diversify its energy portfolio with renewable and stored energy.

“Reliability testing is where everything comes together,” said GPA John M.

 Benavente, GPA general manager. “This phase is designed to validate that Ukudu can perform safely, efficiently, and consistently before it is accepted

into commercial operation,” he added.

During the testing phase, Ukudu will be online continuously with GPA

personnel on standby to monitor the process and respond to any unexpected interruption.

"This phase is designed to put Ukudu through sustained, real-world operating

conditions so engineers can identify and correct any issues before the plant enters commercial service,” GPA said, noting the community's concerns about the reliability of the new power plant.

Benavente said any adjustments made during the testing phase are "normal and expected" in commissioning a power plant of this scale.

Benavente advised ratepayers that isolated outages may occur during the testing phase, but reassured them that there will be no widespread or prolonged disruptions. 

“Our teams will be ready around the clock monitoring the system,” he said.

“Reliability testing could affect service, but we are working to minimize impacts on customers as we move through this final phase. Our goal is to complete testing, to ensure that the new plant is reliable, and prepare for

 Ukudu’s commissioning before the end of the year."

Guam Ukudu Power will eventually transfer the power plant to GPA at the end of the 25-year build-operate-transfer term.

Construction on the project began in July 2022, with the completion target originally set for April 2024. However, Typhoon Mawar, which struck Guam in May 2023, caused significant damage to the project's structures, requiring major repairs.

“GPA said the and its contractors are completing a final flurry of work as the Ukudu Power Plant moves toward commissioning,” GPA said.

The remaining work includes transmission line work feeding the Ukudu Power Plant and the transition from pre-reliability performance testing into the full 

reliability testing period. 

“These activities represent the final steps required before Ukudu enters commercial operation,” GPA said. “Once commissioned, Ukudu will replace aging generation, reduce annual fuel consumption by more than 900,000

 barrels, enhance system stability, and support long-term affordability for 

ratepayers.”

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