by Jolene Toves

Guam - The Guam Power Authority has a new partner in renewable energy. Although a contract was awarded earlier this year to Quantum Generation, the company has since changed hands. No matter whose in charge, GPA is looking to roll out solar energy this time next year.

The largest independent electricity generator in the U.S. has recently acquired a solar project from GPA's renewable energy partner quantum utility generation to provide solar power to our island. CCU chairman Simon Sanchez said, "They were approached by quantum solar one of GPA's solar energy partners in the last six to eight months they began discussions about quantum selling its contract with GPA to NRG."

Sanchez says that it is within the parameters of the GPA contract to allow for a holder of a power performance contract to sell their interest as long as the buyer has equal or greater financial and technical capabilities. "NRG has significant financial and technical capabilities they provide solar networks throughout the United States. This is actually their first fore way outside of the Continental United States," he said.

The CCU met with the representatives from n-r-g last week who advised them of the acquisition. "So now our new partner for solar is NRG they will be required to produce the 25.5 megawatts that quantum was going to provide originally and we still have pacific green resources providing some wind so we are still on track," he said.

A site in the Layon area has been identified for the construction of the solar project, which will allow GPA to upgrade some of the southern facilities to receive the solar energy. Sanchez says that NRG forecasts the first kilowatts to be available in the summer of 2014 gearing up so that by 2015 all 25 megawatts of energy will be available. And with the cost of sunshine not likely to increase Sanchez adds that it is expected to save rate payers $100 million over a 250-year period.

"We are confident that they can implement the project construct the project it as well developed well designed by Quantum. NRG is just picking up the ball where it is now. GPA and the CCU is very confident that our new partner is going to be able to deliver this solar solution for Guam," he said.