Guam Power Authority Loses Four Baseload Generators; Residents to See 2 Hour Load Shedding Intervals

Guam - GPA has now lost four baseload generators. This prompted GPA to switch the current load shedding schedules to 2 hour intervals. GPA PIO Art Perez says there is no timetable on the return of the four generators. He says all resources are being used to repair Cabras 1 and 2. GPA says that Cabras 1 and 2 are both down due to a boiler tube leak. The trouble is, according to GPA PIO Art Perez, crews have to wait for both boiler tubes to cool down before beginning work. Cabras 1 and 2 contribute 66 megawatts each to the island wide power system. GPA says they are utilizing a number of backup plans which includes the interruptible load program, bringing on the recently opened Navy Orote plant, and the temporary generators in Yigo. Meanwhile, both MEC 8 and 9 went down as well, bringing the total of units down to four. GPA says the schedule is for September 6th and 7th.

UPDATE:

Governor Eddie Calvo issued a press release shortly after news time.

"Governor Calvo has directed Guam Police Department Chief J.I. Cruz to ensure that traffic intersections are monitored today and tomorrow as Guam Power Authority works on the power situation.

“We haven’t yet received detailed information on the cause of these blackouts but I am calling on all agencies to do what they can to help,” Governor Calvo stated, adding: “I am also reaching out to CCU and GPA to get a full assessment of the problem and to mitigate where we can.”

Read more: http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/business-pnc/utilities/10725

2nd UPDATE:

GPA Extends Load Shedding to 3 Hour Intervals

Guam - GPA has extended load shedding schedules to three hour intervals following the loss of Cabras 1 and 2 and Mec 8 and Mec 9. GPA PIO Art Perez has not provided a timetable for the return of the downed generators.

Currently, GPA is utilizing the interruptible load program, the Orote Navy Plant and the Aggreko temporary generators to help supplement the loss of 60 percent of their generating capacity. Cabras 1 and 2 went down at 10 a.m. Tuesday with GPA citing boiler tube leaks at both plants. Mec 8 and Mec 9 were taken offline late Tuesday afternoon. GPA immediately extended the intervals for load shedding from one to three hours within a six hour period. Additionally, the outages caused the University of Guam to cancel evening classes. Governor Eddie Calvo released a statement calling on GPD Chief J.I. Cruz to control traffic. The latest three hour interval schedule is attached to the story.

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/business-pnc/utilities/10729