Oro power supply remains stable

IN SPITE of the rotating brownouts the other areas in Mindanao have been experiencing, Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company (Cepalco) assured that Cagayan de Oro City will be spared from the similar situation.

Cepalco Executive Vice President Ralph Paguio said the power firm can source out additional power supply from the diesel-fed power plant owned by Minergy, an independent power producer (IPP).

In case the IPP could not provide sufficient energy to meet the city’s power needs, Paguio said Cepalco will have to implement the so-called Interruptible Load Program (ILP) set by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Under this scheme, big companies in the city have to curtail half of their power supply consumption and then use their standby generators to continue their daily operations.

“So far, we have several volunteer companies. In fact, we have a total of 23 megawatts nga naka-stand by gikan sa ila in case magkaproblema gyud and we are thankful sa ilang response,” Paguio told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

He emphasized, however, that the fuel cost of these companies to be paid by the consumers will automatically reflect in their monthly billings, but the increase of the power rate will be dependent on the fuel price.

Paguio said power reduction is an expected occurrence especially during summer season.

Cepalco assured that power interruption will not happen during the elections this May.

“With our independent power producers particularly Minergy and other standby power sources, I am confident that Cagayan de Oro will not experience rotational brownouts, hopefully,” Paguio added.

Earlier, Councilor President Elipe said the power cutback in Mindanao this month has increased to 300 megawatts from 90 megawatts in December 2012, while the power cutback in the city has also increased to 30 megawatts from 19 megawatts in December 2012.

Elipe appealed to consumers to avoid using their appliances during peak hours at night, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., to conserve energy even if the city’s power supply remains normal unlike the other regions in Mindanao.

“Suwerte pa gani kita sa Cagayan de Oro kay we are not yet experiencing the rotational brownouts nga maoy gakahitabo sa Zamboanga, Iligan City, Bukidnon ug Butuan City,” he added.