Sunday, November 18, 2007 Beneco 'unprepared' for energy crisis
THE Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) has admitted it does not have contingency measures to address the looming energy crisis, projected to take place in 2010.
General Manager Gerardo Verzosa said the energy crisis poses a big challenge for electric cooperatives, as they would have to ensure that there is a ready source of electric supply even during the crisis.
Verzosa said that although Beneco buys some of the power it supplies to various households from an independent supplier Mirant and with the existence of potential power generators in the region, these are not enough to guarantee a steady power supply.
Mini-hydro power plants are alternative power suppliers but steady generation might be affected by erratic weather.
"The operation of mini hydros is influenced by the availability of water," Verzosa explained, adding that the proximity of these sources to Beneco's main market, which is Baguio and La Trinidad - Benguet's capital town - might even increase the price of electricity.
Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes earlier announced that an energy crisis in the country might happen three years from now.
To cope with this possibility, government and non-government organizations are advocating the use of alternative sources of energy like wind, geothermal and solar energies. (RO)
