Launch of Guam's new power plant hits a snag

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

The commissioning of Guam’s new power plant in Dededo has been rescheduled from Sept. 30 to Oct. 30 due to a glitch that was detected during a recent system test, according to Guam Power Authority.

The Ukudu Combined Cycle Power Plant, with a capacity of 198MW, is the centerpiece of GPA’s long-term strategy to modernize energy generation, reduce dependence on imported fuel, and secure sustainable cost savings for Guam’s residents and businesses.

GPA has contracted the independent power producer, Guam Ukudu Power, to build and operate the new power plant, which began construction in 2022.

The $562 million power plant will replace GPA’s aging, decades-old generating plants and allow the agency to diversify its energy portfolio with renewable and stored energy.

GPA said the Ukudu steam turbine was placed online on Thursday, sending 3MW successfully into the grid. However, as the unit was being loaded toward 50 percent capacity, the high-pressure portion of the steam turbine unit began

experiencing vibrations. 

A subsequent investigation found that rubbing occurred between the turbine

rotor and the high-pressure turbine shell. The rotor and parts have been

shipped via air freight to the manufacturer overseas for repair. 

Officials said the repaired rotor is targeted to return for installation in late August, which means combined cycle unit testing and commissioning 

will begin about mid-September. 

“The root cause of the issue will continue to be investigated by both the manufacturer and Doosan to ensure a successful commissioning of the 198MW combined cycle plant," GPA said in a press release. "It is not unusual for circumstances such as this to occur during testing and commissioning of a power plant."

GPA stated that GUP's contractor, Doosan, provided assurance that the repairs and commissioning would be completed as soon as possible.

ADVERTISEMENT

The three 45MW simple-cycle combustion turbine machines are available  and capable of producing a total of 135MW.

Although there are emission permit constraints for operating under simple cycle, these machines have the potential to support GPA during periods of capacity shortage, thereby avoiding load-shedding, during the ongoing testing period.

“I am relieved that the resulting potential delay of commissioning is not severe,” said John M. Benavente, GPA general manager.

“The power plant was contracted in 2019 and is near  full commissioning  despite all the challenges we had from Covid-19, supply chain issues and

damages that occurred from Typhoon Mawar," he added.

Despite the revised schedule, GPA said ratepayers will benefit from the recently approved fuel surcharge rate reduction, which takes effect in August.

Subscribe to

our digital

monthly edition