AS MUCH as Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) would like to source out power supply from renewable energy (RE) sources, its president said the priority of the electric cooperative is power security.
Dwight Carbon, president of Ceneco said on Sunday, November 25, that the power distribution utility (PDU) has no reason not to use “green” energy if there are “reliable” RE sources operating in the province.
Carbon said the cooperative might also tap geothermal energy sources if production increases and is already capable of supplying its current and future requirement.
“We are just open. If there is wind or hydro available then why not as long as cheaper and reliable for 24 hours,” he said, adding that solar power can only be used for a maximum of four hours per day.
Oppositions have been raised by various sectors and groups against the reported proposal of SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. to put up a 300-megawatt (mw) coal-fired power plants in San Carlos City.
On November 22, four bishops of the dioceses in Negros have issued a collegial pastoral statement strongly opposing coal in the island.
They called on local government units (LGUs) and electric cooperatives not to entertain anymore any proposition of a coal-fired power plant elsewhere and phase out those still in operation.
The collegial pastoral statement stated that church urged Negrenses to work together to increase access to clean, renewable, and sustainable energy.
There is also a proposed ordinance disallowing the exploration, establishment, and operation of any coal-fired power plant in the province.
After conducting a joint committee meeting on Wednesday, November 21, the Provincial Board cannot yet make a stand citing the need to consult first all involved sectors.
Negros Oriental, meanwhile, has already adopted an Executive Order preventing the entry of coal-fired power plants there.
San Carlos City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor Jr. earlier said they are still weighing the impact of the proposed development in the locality.
Ceneco caters to the largest number of electric consumers in Negros Occidental, including cities of Bacolod, Bago, Talisay and Silay, and towns of Murcia and Salvador Benedicto.
The Bacolod-based cooperative has the biggest power supply requirement of the five PDUs in Negros Island.
Data obtained by SunStar Bacolod earlier showed that Ceneco has a power demand of at least 155 MW.
Of which, about 80 percent is supplied by coal generation firms.
Its base load of 64 mw is sourced from Kepco-Salcon Power Corp. (KSPC), a coal-fired power plant in Naga, Cebu.
Three other firms, including Palm Concepcion Power Corp. (coal) in Iloilo, supplies 35 MW to Ceneco; Green Core Geothermal Inc. (geothermal), 20 MW; and Energreen Power Development and Management Inc. (diesel), 18.9 MW.
The KSPC supply deal is the first to expire in February 2021. The others will end in 2024 and 2031 yet.
Carbon said amid the impending expiration of their power deal with KSPC and projected bigger requirement due to major investments coming in, they are still studying where to source out supply.
“We are not saying whether we will go for coal or not,” Carbon said as he stressed that they are not against RE.
In fact, if there are available sources especially hydro in the province “we will purchase.”
Carbon, however, pointed out that having coal-fired power plants within the province also has advantages.
He cited that instead of buying power from Cebu, having a coal plant here would mean cheaper cost.
Carbon said that there might also be no line rental and the power source is secured as the transmission is embedded in the island resulting in less chances of disturbances and interruptions.
“There are just some of the areas that should be considered whether to allow, or not, coal-fired power plants in the province aside from economic and environment concerns,” he added.
Moreover, the Ceneco president said they are willing to sit down with the Provincial Government and other concerned groups like the church to talk about the issue on coal.
Though, it was not tackled yet by the Negros Electric Cooperatives Association where Ceneco is a member.
“What we agreed is to look for cheaper and reliable supply whether RE, coal or any other forms of energy,” Carbon said.
He added that “if we are not able to provide reliable and cheaper power to our consumers, it's also the church who is among those questioning us.”