Government leaders, Korean energy executives and utility commissioners gathered Thursday to mark the commissioning of the 198-megawatt Ukudu Combined-Cycle Power Plant, one of the largest infrastructure projects in Guam's modern history.
The roughly $600 million plant was developed through a public-private partnership involving Guam Ukudu Power LLC, a consortium led by Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea East-West Power, under a long-term agreement with the Guam Power Authority. The facility marks a major transition away from Guam's aging baseload generation system.
The plant can support approximately 75 percent of Guam's peak baseload demand and is projected to reduce annual fuel-oil consumption by nearly one million barrels. Officials estimate the modernization could cut fuel-related operating costs by roughly $100 million annually over time. The combined-cycle facility captures and reuses heat to improve fuel efficiency and was designed with future liquefied natural gas capability and integrated battery storage.
"This project is about reliability, resiliency, affordability on a sustained basis," said GPA General Manager John M. Benavente. "Ukudu Power Plant represents the foundation for the next generation of Guam's power infrastructure."
Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio called it one of the most important infrastructure efforts in generations. "This facility represents Guam's ability to think long-term, build strategically, and create partnerships that strengthen our island's future," he said.
Planning dates back to 2012, with construction continuing through the COVID-19 pandemic, supply-chain disruptions, Typhoon Mawar recovery and industry-wide inflation. CCU Chairman Francis Santos said the effort required years of persistence. "This was not an overnight project," he said.
The Dededo site ceremony included a formal ribbon-cutting, recognition of partners and a traditional blessing of the facility.
