by Ken Quintanilla
Guam - In an effort to reduce the island's dependence on imported
oil for power, the Guam Power Authority signed wind and solar contracts for the
next 20 and 25 years, respectively, with Pacific Green Resources.
PGR president Rick Cruz said, "It is my honor representing
our firm in this historic occasion, historic in the sense that it's the first
ever on Guam for a fully utility scale wind farm of this magnitude." And
Consolidated Commission on Utilities chairman Simon Sanchez added, ""Here's
an opportunity where a local entrepreneur, saw an opportunity partnered with
other international partners and have stepped up and said we can solve a
problem for the people of Guam and we can help you, GPA."
The project will cover 300 acres in Dandan with completion on a
solar farm in one year and a wind farm in three years. The partnership is set
to create about 110 jobs with construction and 27 new jobs to support daily
operations. Over 900,000 barrels of oil meanwhile will be replaced with renewable
energy through the contract term at an estimated savings of $5.5 million
annually.
