The Guam Power Authority has successfully energized 100% of its major substations and restored 37% of the island's power circuits as of Wednesday evening, marking a critical milestone in recovery efforts following Super Typhoon Bavi.
The utility breakthrough coincides with the opening of an official typhoon debris disposal site at Ypao Point on July 09, by the Government of Guam, the Department of Public Works, and the Guam Environmental Protection Agency. Proper waste separation at the disaster recovery site is mandated to protect public health and maximize Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement for local recovery efforts.
The disposal facility, located at the former Guam Memorial Hospital site, will operate daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until Saturday, July 25. The site is strictly restricted to green waste and construction debris, which includes lumber, plywood, glass, steel, and corrugated tin. Household garbage, electronics, hazardous waste, appliances, and furniture will not be accepted at the location.
According to regulations outlined in the latest Joint Information Center Recovery Release, these disposal parameters are established to safeguard site personnel, protect the environment, and ensure compliance with federal disaster assistance frameworks. To ensure safety and secure the site nightly, entry lines will close daily at 4:30 p.m.
Utility restoration has accelerated significantly, with 58% of the island's distribution feeders and circuits now online. According to a 10 a.m. GPA operational update on Thursday, all 30 major substations are energized, enabling 39 out of 67 distribution circuits to be partially energized. The island's peak electricity demand has reached 96 megawatts, drawing from a total generation system capacity of 259 megawatts, which officials confirm is adequate to support the current load without capacity shortages.
Baseload units currently providing energy to the grid include Piti Units eight and nine, alongside Ukudu Power Plant gas turbine generators two and three. During this second phase of recovery, 15 active line crews are working rotating 12-hour shifts to sustain continuous 24-hour restoration operations across the Island-Wide Power System.
GPA crews are focusing on clearing sectors in the north, central, and south regions to restore power to customers with minimal damage over the next one to three days, targeting sections of Harmon, Dededo, Tumon, Tamuning, Hagåtña, and various surrounding municipalities. GPA is also coordinating the rapid return of additional utility assets, including eight bucket trucks, utility trucks, and step vans currently stored in Saipan.
Officials cautioned that as lines heat up, hardware components or storm-damaged transformers may fail, and customers experiencing temporary voltage fluctuations are advised to shut off their main breakers.
In contrast to the progress in utility restoration, essential housing assistance programs remain stalled due to ongoing logistical and infrastructural deficits.
The Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority announced that, following additional post-storm assessments, the Housing Recovery Application Center remains temporarily closed due to ongoing electrical and internet connectivity issues. The center will reopen once electrical and internet services have been fully restored, and GHURA will issue a public announcement when services officially resume.
Concurrently, the Bureau of Statistics and Plans, in coordination with the Office of the Governor, and the Office of Homeland Security/Civil Defense, has initiated a Business Sector Disaster Damage Assessment Survey to gauge the storm's economic footprint on local establishments. The agency is collaborating with multiple government entities, including the Guam International Airport Authority, the Guam Economic Development Agency, and the Guam Visitors Bureau, to conduct these preliminary assessments through Tuesday, July 14.
Lola Leon Guerrero, director of the Bureau of Statistics and Plans, said that participating personnel will carry government-issued identification for phone or in-person verification, though a dedicated web link has also been provided for businesses choosing to submit data independently before the 4:00 p.m. deadline on July 14.
Safety officials continue to urge the public to remain completely out of the water due to persistent, life-threatening marine conditions. A high rip current risk remains in effect through Friday afternoon, creating hazardous swimming and surfing conditions along south-, west-, and north-facing reefs. A high surf advisory is active until 4:00 p.m. Thursday, with large breaking waves of up to 11 feet expected along south- and west-facing reefs, alongside potential localized beach erosion. Although the coastal flood advisory has officially expired, authorities advise the public to stay off jetties, piers, and all other waterside infrastructure until conditions fully improve. mbj
