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Sunday, April 24, 2005
Transco warns of power shortage
By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE National Transmission Corporation (Transco) warned Friday of a possible power shortage that would hit major areas in Southern Mindanao due to the unavailability of government funds to support their projects.
Milfrance Capulong, Transco corporate communications officer, said the National Government's implementation of austerity measures affected the completion of the almost P1 billion Maramag-Bunawan 230 KV transmission line.
"There's scarcity of resources and we are still going to look for funding institutions that will finance the Maramag Bunawan 230 KV transmission line that will supposedly cover the projected power shortage this year," Capulong said.
She said from the original completion date this year, the target date was moved to year 2008.
Capulong said the Maramag-Bunawan line is essential, as it would allow major transmission lines to run from Lanao up to Davao City crossing Bukidnon area.
The project, according to Capulong supposedly will augment the power supply of the southeastern Mindanao, which has been forecasted to have shortage of power by the end of this year.
Capulong said the projected shortage is due to the increase on the demand of power supply.
"The demand for power supply grows by 6-8 percent annually. If we don't add additional capacity for South Eastern Mindanao there will really be shortage," Capulong said.
She said unlike Visayas and Luzon, Mindanao's power plants are not interconnected in a way that if there's shortage of power here we cannot ask power supply from Luzon or Visayas.
Capulong said the business sector has been making a follow-up on the project as they have expressed concern on the possible power shortage that the region would experience soon.
Capulong said the possible solution to the business sector's concern would be maximizing the existing power barges in the region.
She said Transco is now working for the transfer of two power barges from Panay to Davao City and General Santos City.
It was learned though that the two power barges will only cover 40 percent of the projected shortage.
The two power barges are expected to be operational by December this year.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (April 24, 2005 issue)
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