Aboitiz to build more power plants

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

MINDANAO would likely experience a worsening power supply shortage if no sources are added before 2014.

According to generation firm Aboitiz Power Corporation, Mindanao’s heavy dependence on hydroelectric power can no longer meet the demands of the growing communities, businesses and industry.

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Reports said some parts of Mindanao are now experiencing rotating brownouts, particularly in Zamboanga and General Santos, due to lack of supply.

Sources from the Aboitiz Group of Companies said the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Davao would not feel the 30-minute rotating brownout citing embedded power plants in such areas are present.

Sources said Mindanao is short of 200-megawatt (MW) power, and to meet the demand, Aboitiz would build five hydro and coal-fired power plants.

The five hydro plants will be installed in Davao City; two in Bukidnon; and two in Davao del Sur, totaling 70 MW. Two of these plants would be operational by March 2012, sources said.

Sources added there is an ongoing construction of a 300-MW circulating fluidized bed (CFB) coal-fired power plant in the boundary of Davao City and Davao del Sur.

Aboitiz Power develops coal power in conjunction with its thrust to further develop hydropower in Mindanao, as part of its advocacy of using clean, safe renewable energy.

The coal-fired power plant is meant to supplement and support hydropower, especially in dry months when water levels are not enough to generate electricity.

Sources said Aboitiz could have afford to construct more hydro plants, but “there are no more large bodies of water in Mindanao that can produce a large amount of power similar to Agus-Pulangi.”

With La-Niña coming, hydro plants can still provide energy but could not anymore sustain the shortage in 2014, sources added.

Aboitiz Power is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, retail and power services, known for major producer of cleanergy, a brand for clean and renewable energy in the Philippines.

The company owns distribution utilities that operate in high-growth areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.