Residents of Guam will be facing a new monthly fuel surcharge that will increase from the current 15.08 cents per kilowatt-hour to 17.14 cents. This will be placed in effect starting Feb. 1st with the plan being implemented.  

There was an increase up to 13.04 cents per kWh in August then increased again up to 15.08 cents per kWh in October. By December, it finally increased to 17.14 cents per kWh affecting residents.  

The power increase will leave many families having to find extra money to compensate for their monthly power bills. Local Guam resident Bryant Leon Guerrero of Inarajan said, “I will have to find ways to reduce my power consumption to handle the increased bill.” Many other residents will soon be faced with these decisions.  

 The formal name for this surcharge is known as the Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause and is a part of the consumer’s monthly power bill. Along with what consumers pay for their monthly power bill it also pays for the cost of fuel oil for the power plant.  

GPA was faced with a notable loss as fuel prices increased. The Consolidated Commission on Utilities and the Public Utilities Commission have decided to maintain a loss on fuel purchases. There is an estimate of a loss of $18.4 million since January 2022.  

GPA’s savings can help mitigate the $5 million in capital expenses. Although, if the surcharge is maintained at 17.14 cents per kWh, there is a loss of roughly about $17.5 million by the end of the next six-month period.  

Students and families living in Guam will now have to find ways to adjust to this increase by making tough decisions to reduce their power consumption.  Turning the air conditioner off, opening windows, and drying laundry on clotheslines will all help in reducing their power bill.