|
Friday, March 31, 2006
Group voices concern over Mindanao power supply
By Lizanilla J. Amarga
THE Regional Development Council (RDC) voiced concerns as to how the 255-megawatt Pulangi IV Hydro Electric Plant in Maramag, Bukidnon is only producing around 120 to 100 megawatts only.
This as the RDC voiced hopes that the 210-mw Mindanao Coal Fired Power Plant structure would be fully completed and its devices installed on schedule to cope with power supply shortages.
The Pulangi IV Hydro Electric Plant and the Agus Hydro Power Plant at the Maria Christina Falls, Iligan City are the major suppliers of power for the entire Mindanao Power Grid.
The National Power Corporation (NPC) has described the Mindanao power supply as not just going short due to its rising demand, but also, it is "erratic and critical" with "abnormal power sourcing."
In a press conference, RDC vice-chairman Arsenio Sebastian and RDC 10 infrastructure committee co-chairman Dr. Modesto Babaylan said this hydro power plant is not performing in its full capacity.
Sebastian said they have information on how the low-performance of the hydro power plant is caused by the substantial siltation of the Pulangi Rivers.
He said this hydroelectric plant is only producing at an average of 120 megawatts of power during rainy days to 100 megawatts during dry days when it is supposed to be a 255-megawatt power plant.
"We really have to come up with a solution to this shortage," he said.
Sebastian then outlined the factors that have been delaying the immediate desiltation of the Pulangi Rivers, which involves three barangays surrounding the rivers.
He said there is the problem on where to get the funds to finance the entire desiltation process of the Pulangi Rivers.
The cost of the desiltation cannot just easily be taken from the power rates being charged to the consumers for this has to be approved by the Energy Regulation Commission (ERC).
"We cannot just add the cost to the power rates," he said.
Also, he added that even if there be desiltation, the problem would be where to dump the silt taken from the river.
Babaylan said there are now efforts being exerted to look for a place where the silt from the Pulangi Rivers may be dumped.
He said they are however still taking it out with concern local government units.
Already, NPC-Transmission Corporation (Transco) information officer Rafael Magbanua said at least 85 percent of Mindanao already has power using several independent power producers (IPPs) and Napocor power barges particularly in key areas.
"But we are still talking about a very erratic and critical power supply...this power sourcing is very abnormal still," he said.
Sebastian voiced hopes that the US $310 million Mindanao Coal-Fired Power Plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental would be completed on schedule this December 2006.
He said that though this coal plant is capable of producing 200 megawatts still this would not be enough to cope up with the power demands in Mindanao.
"We must remember that one of the factors being considered by potential investors before coming here is the facilities the place and topmost of them is power supply," he said.
(March 31, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
|
