GPA: No official talks with Pentagon, but nuclear power evaluated for Guam
The Guam Power Authority told the Pacific Daily News on Friday that it has not had official discussions with the Department of Defense about bringing nuclear microreactors to Guam, but it has considered the technology.
Nuclear microreactors could be mandated in Guam and throughout the region by January 2030 if the provision makes the final cut in the Department of Defense’s big authorization act for fiscal year 2027.
An amendment requiring reactors passed earlier this month, despite Guam Del. James Moylan voting against the provision, and a representative from Hawaii opposing the plans during a markup hearing in Washington, D.C., the PDN reported.
Informal discussions
GPA communications stated this past week that the authority has only had informal discussions about the potential of microreactors.
“Several years ago, GPA met with representatives from Project Pele during their visit to Guam to better understand the island’s electrical system and energy needs,” GPA said. “Since that time, GPA has not participated in any formal or detailed discussions with the Department of War regarding the deployment of small modular reactors or microreactors on Guam.”
A team from the DoD’s project Pele was on Guam in 2024, during a nationwide assessment of potential nuclear microreactor sites.
GPA this past week stated it has been approached by several companies interested in discussing small modular reactor and microreactor technologies for potential military application.
However, the agency said these interactions have been “introductory in nature and have not progressed beyond high-level informational discussions.”
Evaluating tech
GPA has a responsibility to stay informed about emerging technologies and evaluate whether they could play a role in meeting Guam’s future energy needs, the authority added.
“Over the past decade, GPA personnel have engaged with industry representatives, technology developers, and engineering professionals to stay current on advancements in SMR and microreactor technologies,” the authority stated.
Advanced nuclear technology was one of a variety of potential energy sources being assessed by technical consultants as part of the ongoing GPA’s Integrated Resource Plan update
GPA said exploring technologies is part of its broader responsibility to “evaluate all reasonable options that could help us provide reliable and affordable power.” It stressed that no decisions have been made regarding the deployment of SMRs or microreactors in Guam.
Ripple effects
Draft legislation now before Congress would allow for microreactors of up to 50 megawatts.
That’s enough to cover the entire 45 megawatt power demand for the military on Guam, as reported last September. The U.S. Navy is GPA’s biggest single customer, accounting for 20% of power sales.
When asked about ripple effects to Guam’s infrastructure and economy, as well as where the reactors could likely be placed, GPA said it “does not know and have any of this information.”
The agency reiterated that its efforts in evaluation of emerging technologies, including SMRs, is consistent with its long-term strategy of balancing reliability, affordability, and environmental stewardship.
“Over the past decade, GPA has made significant investments in cleaner and more efficient generation, renewable energy, battery storage, and energy efficiency programs,” GPA said.
Ban weighed before
Archives show that local lawmakers weighed banning nuclear power from Guam back in 2023, shortly after it became public that members of the U.S. Senate were looking to mandate a study on the use of microreactors for the island.
However, Joint Region Marianas produced a legal analysis that stated local military command did not believe Guam lawmakers could ban nuclear energy from bases on island.
Moylan previously authored a section in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act to require the DoD to notify both Congress and the governor of Guam at least 180 days in advance of any proposal to bring nuclear reactors Guam.