Thursday, January 08, 2009 Power shortage hinders growth of Silay’s economy
SILAY City might have big dreams for the future but power shortage continues to be a problem in the city.
Silay Mayor Jose ‘Oti’ Montelibano said the city is in great need of sufficient power supply but can’t have it since the province is facing power shortage, reason for intermittent power interruptions and brownouts.
He expressed fears that the new Bacolod-Silay Airport would face problems or malfunctions some of its facilities and equipment due to power interruptions.
The city is generating about four to five megawatts, which is very limited for a developing city like Silay, the mayor said.
He told Sun.Star that many investors have been showing interest in putting up big businesses like malls and call centers in the city.
Montelibano said he could promise everything to investors, except sufficient power supply.
The neighboring province of Guimaras, meanwhile, has already a solution to end power shortage.
Guimaras Governor Felipe Hilan Nava said the wind power energy, which is likely to be developed in the province by independent power producer TransAsia, could generate around 15-20 megawatts.
If the project turns out to be successful, Nava said Guimaras would have more than enough power supply and the excess powers could be sold to Iloilo province.
Montelibano said the approved light railway transit (LRT) project worth P15.9 billion is also a potential project not just for Silay but for the province as well. He, however, said the money that would be used in constructing the billion-peso project will not be sourced from the city or province.
The mayor said investors from Germany already manifested interest in funding the project but then, power shortage might be a hindrance the moment the investors, whom Montelibano refused to name, give the green light to start the project.
He hopes the province would have sufficient power supply soon to support the growing and developing economy of Negros Occidental. (JOC)
