Guam Energy Strategies to assist 100% renewable energy goal by 2045

A major initiative aimed at informing Guam’s transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy future is now officially operating under a new name: Guam Energy Strategies (formerly known as Guam100).

Funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs, Guam Energy Strategies is a collaborative partnership between the Guam Power Authority and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, in close coordination with the Guam Energy Office and a broad stakeholder advisory group, according to a release.

Like many other U.S. territories and states, Guam has set an ambitious goal for renewable energy.

Guam Energy Strategies will explore approaches to address the technical and economic challenges of achieving Guam’s RPS target: 50% of electricity sales from renewable energy by 2035 and 100% by 2045. The effort will include a detailed technical analysis of options for affordable and viable solutions while emphasizing energy security and availability.

Over the past year, the Guam Energy Strategies Advisory Group—comprising representatives from government agencies, industry, nonprofit organizations, the Mayors' Council of Guam, and members of the Legislature and Governor’s Office—has helped lay the groundwork for broader public engagement through closed meetings and technical analysis.

“This is a pivotal moment for Guam Energy Strategies to begin addressing the vision for a sustainable energy future with transparent, actionable strategies,” said GPA Assistant General Manager of Engineering and Technical Services, John J. Cruz, Jr. in a statement. “This effort not only complements GPA’s Clean Energy Master Plan but also widens the stakeholder outreach to provide a broader spectrum of insights.”

GPA’s most recent Integrated Resource Plan, also known as the GPA Clean Energy Master Plan, was published in 2022. Guam Energy Strategies will help inform the next IRP update and will likely introduce new components to reflect emerging needs and findings.

Guam Energy Strategies takes a holistic, data-driven approach that includes:

● Integrated modeling of power generation including renewable energy scenarios.
● Impact analysis and affordability assessment.
● Technical, policy, and economic evaluation.
● Broad-based stakeholder engagement and community education.

“Guam Energy Strategies represents a unified effort to identify technically sound and secure solutions that are locally appropriate and economically viable,” said Guam Energy Office Director Rebecca Respicio in a statement. “This is about more than just research, it’s about ensuring the right people are aligned, engaged, and ready to act.”

The initiative takes a comprehensive view that considers future load growth, energy availability, and affordability while identifying strategies to increase renewable integration and enhance grid reliability.

Working alongside GPA, GEO, and the Advisory Group, NREL provides objective, rigorous analysis and modeling to help guide informed decision-making as Guam moves toward its renewable energy goals.

Despite uncertainty around federal funding priorities under the new presidential administration, project leaders reaffirmed their commitment to transparency and continued progress.

“We are thankful for the continued support of the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs and NREL,” Respicio added. “Together, we are laying the groundwork for a cleaner, more resilient Guam consistent with GPA’s mandate for reliable, resilient, and affordable electric power service.”

NREL’s work includes evaluating a full spectrum of energy solutions, from investments in new generation, storage, and transmission infrastructure to strategies that improve load management. The team also shares tools, data, and success stories to promote viable, replicable energy practices that help states, cities, and territories achieve their energy goals.