Guam - The Consolidated Commission on Utilities passed a resolution to approve a contract that will lead to an overhaul of turbochargers.  The devices are part of the diesel generators located at several fasttrack stations on island including one in Santa Rita and another in Agat.

Turbochargers are typically overhauled every 7,000 to 8,000 hours, however some have accumulated more than 20,000. Last month's rate increase will fund the overhauls.

Guam Power Authority Spokesperson Art Perez says the utility agency should be able to renovate all the chargers within a month, adding overhauls, "get diesel units more efficient. They don't run as often as they did before, now that we have more generation online, but they are there for emergencies and serve as critical part of back up power. We are reinvesting back in to the efficiency of these units with the new base rates that were approved."

There are about ten units and the total cost for the overhaul is $600,000 payable over an 18-month period. Perez adds proper maintenance of the units will help increase their overall efficiency as it allows fast track power units to come back online much quicker.