The Guam Power Authority (GPA) has been awarded a $500,000 Broadband Technical Assistance grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Office to strengthen the island’s power network and explore opportunities to expand broadband access.
The funding will support a feasibility study to enhance GPA’s SMART grid infrastructure, which relies on strong communications systems to manage and restore power efficiently. In the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar, GPA officials said improving the resiliency of Guam’s energy grid is essential to reducing outage response times and ensuring reliable service during emergencies.
By leveraging its existing fiber optic infrastructure, GPA will also assess how its network could provide the backbone for island wide broadband access. Officials said the expansion could help close Guam’s digital divide while enhancing GPA’s ability to monitor, manage, and secure the grid in real time.
“Reliability is at the core of GPA’s mission, and this grant allows us to explore new ways to harden our grid while delivering benefits for the entire island,” said GPA General Manager John Benavente. The study will evaluate GPA’s current fiber optic network, radio mesh, and advanced metering systems to identify opportunities for stronger energy management, disaster resilience, and security.