Friday, September 21, 2007 Ceneco inks contract with Kepco for power supply By Gil Alfredo B. Severino
DESPITE opposition and condemnation from some quarters, the Central Negros Electric Cooperative Inc. (Ceneco) entered into a 10-year power sales contract with Kepco-Salco Power Corp. (KSPC) last July 16, 2007.
Among those opposing the Ceneco-Kepco-Salcon deal were Bayan Negros, Freedom from Debt Coalition, and some provincial and city Officials.
The contract was signed to protect the electric cooperative from the looming power shortage, said a statement on the signing.
The National Power Corporation had issued a certification to Ceneco dated August 7, 2007 stating it cannot commit to supplying Ceneco’s full energy requirement by 2010.
Ceneco president Roberto Montelibano, in a recent interview, said even before the KSPC contract was signed, the electric cooperative was already preparing to avert a possible power shortage in the nearest future.
“Yet, nothing has been materialized as these attempts were marred by protests and oppositions,” he added.
According to Montelibano, “Ceneco has been scouting for the past 12 years for power generators that can provide the power capacity and demand of Ceneco.”
He stressed “That the issues raised by the oppositors of this project such as the rates and the various provisions in the contract among others can be addressed in the proper forum. Thus, a multi-sectoral hearing was conducted by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) last September 13 to 14, 2007 presided by ERC Chairman Rodolfo Albano.”
Montelibano said that among other things, he will personally explain that if Ceneco will not move and purchase power supply, then the areas it covers will be hit by power shortages.
“I will be facing media personally because there is nothing to hide. Visayas will experience power shortage. If oppositors will disagree with the existence of a crisis, let them,” Montelibano, who is set to call a press conference Friday, added.
