Two new solar projects moved forward Thursday as the Guam Hybrid Land Use Commission approved a conditional use permit for a solar farm in Barrigada and the Guam Land Use Commission approved a zone change for a project in Tamuning.
Both projects are being constructed by Pacific Energy Corporation as part of Guam Power Authority’s renewable energy acquisition plan.
Pacific Energy will build four 4.9 MW solar farms that will feed into the island’s power grid.
The project before the Hybrid Land Use Commission will sit on 11 acres in Barrigada near the site of the former Admiral Nimitz Golf Course.
Developers said the land is currently undeveloped and accessible by a four-wheel drive vehicle. During community hearings, residents asked about traffic, noise, safety and vandalism.
Company representatives said while there will be noise and some traffic during construction, neither concern will be a problem once it is built. The solar farm will have security fencing, gates and signage.
The Tamuning project will be located near Tanguisson Beach Road, three miles southeast of Two Lovers’ Point and a half mile west of the Ukudu Power Plant.
The area is zoned for hotels and resorts, and the Guam Land Use Commission approved changing the zoning to light industrial.
The other two solar farms being built by Pacific Energy will be located on the road to the Layon Landfill in Malojloj and on the road between Yona and Leo Palace.
The Land Use Commission also approved a zone change from agricultural/rural to commercial for a store on Route 17 near Baza Gardens.
The two-story structure will have a retail store on the bottom floor and a residential duplex on the second floor.
