L to R: GPA SPORD Manager John Cruz, P.E., GPA GM Joaquin Flores, P.E., GPA Assistant GM Melinda Camacho, GPA Special Project Engineer Paz Tison, Vital COO Jonathan Perez and Vital Guam Terminal Manager Jose Yamashita.
PITI, GUAM - Another energy milestone was reached this week with an agreement between Vital Energy Inc. and the Guam Power Authority (GPA) that will allow Vital to build and operate a 100 kW solar array at the GPA Bulk Fuel Facility on the island.
For Vital it’s the first step in an 18-month project to facilitate investment in over 1MW of generation capacity from solar arrays across its six locations throughout Micronesia.
"We aim to be the only petroleum corporation in the region that distributes fossil fuels from entirely renewable means," says Vital Chairman of the Board, Mr. William Hawley. "Our solar projects will complement our biofuels program being launched in 2013 and move us slowly but surely towards this goal."
Vital, and its parent company, FSM PetroCorp, currently spends between $300,000 and $400,000 annually in electricity bills and the application of the latest renewable technologies will enable the company to significantly reduce utility costs and pass on operational savings to its customers.
The strategic program of work is also in harmony with the mandates of the Chief Executives’ - the Governors of Guam, Saipan, Kosrae, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and the President of the FSM– state and national energy policies to move toward less dependence on fossil fuels and broaden the regional energy mix with renewables.
"Current electricity expenses comprise approximately 25% of our total operation cost," says Vital Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan Perez. "The installation of a solar system, whilst capital intensive, will provide long-run cost benefits that will enable us to allocate resources towards maintenance and safe operations of the GPA facility, and ultimately provide GPA long-term savings."
Vital Energy was selected amongst numerous bidders as the most qualified and competitive to manage and operate the GPA Bulk Fuel Facility in April this year. The 538,000bbl facility supplies nearly all of Guam’s energy needs.
GPA General Manager Joaquin Flores, in a letter to Perez, thanked Vital for its "investment in renewable energy and your efforts to reduce the facility’s dependency on imported fuel" and stated he "looks forward to a productive and mutually beneficial partnership with Vital."
Vital will continue to pursue similar projects in the region in line with the state and national energy policies of the different islands and aligned with the company’s long-term view toward regional energy security and economic sustainability.
October 25, 2012
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