His contention, however, irked incumbent Ceneco president Roberto Montelibano prompting them to “clash” at the “Kapehan sa Executive Inn” hosted by Edmund Aspero and aired over dyRL Sunday morning.
Espino grounded his argument on the P4.30 kwh stipulated in the Ceneco-Kepco contract, saying the pact has not been ratified by the coop’s general assembly.
“The elders of previous Ceneco presidents are now lobbying wih consumers not to ratify the Kepco-Ceneco contract because we believe this would mean P8/kwh and not P4.30,” Espino said.
As to alleged power shortage come 2010, Espino said that free market will soon allow for the proliferation of independent power producers (IPP) and that Ceneco in fact can build a power plant on its own.
“Years back, National Power Corp. (Napocor) declared power shortage in 2007. Is there any shortage right now? We are even operating in excess.”
He then cited the Leyte-Samar supply surplus of 419.3 megawatts which, at present, could also be tapped.
Also, Espino stood by what Ceneco management recommended to buy only 17 megawatts which Montelibano allegedly blocked and raised to 40 megawatts.
“I believe Ceneco management has a better grasp of the situation that’s why we stand by at a 17 megawatt-recommendation which can benefit the consumers in terms of costing than the 40 megawatts which will only burden the consumers.”
Montelibano said unless he is reading the wrong data issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Napocor, and National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) on the power shortage, he will agree with Espino.
Montelibano explained that Napocor is prohibited under the Electric Power Industry Power Act (EPIRA) to build new plants or contract power plants with IPPs.
“Negros is dependent on Napocor power supply at the moment and most of its plants have reached their useful life of 25 years and some have degenerated so expect further deterioration in the years ahead,” Montelibano argued.
“Based on actual count, Negros, at present, is already short of about 14.2 megawatts during ‘peak’ hours and the only IPP available and stable is Kepco-Salco Electric Corp to fill in the gap, at the moment,” Montelibano stressed.
“While I have no problem with the recommended 17 megawatts but management prudence prompted Ceneco board members to apply for 40 megawatts maximum because of growing population and industry. Based on expert’s computation, Ceneco’s covered areas grow by 10 percent annually or more. This translates to 100-
110 megawatts during ‘peak’ of power needs by 2010,” he added.
Montelibano further stressed, “If we don’t act now, we will experience rotating brownouts soon.”
Meanwhile, he agreed with Espino that the Kepco-Ceneco contract will undergo consumers’ ratification this November and all have the right to go for or against it.
