THE Cagayan de Oro Electric Power and Light Company Inc. (Cepalco) will ensure power in polling centers the upcoming May elections.
Cepalco Vice President Ralph Paguio said they have talked with the officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to draw up contingency plans in case of a power supply shortage on May 9 Election Day.
Cepalco sources its power requirements from different power producers such as Therma South Incorporated (TSI) supplying 20 megawatts (MW) and Mindanao Energy Systems Inc. (Minergy) supplying 10MW, among others.
"Kung magkulang pa gayud, motawag na gayud ta sa Interruptible Load Program (ILP)," Paguio said.
Paguio said Cepalco is confident of enough power supply since Election Day is a holiday.
But in case of a supply shortage, Paguio said Cepalco will request other industrial plants and factories to shut down operations to allocate the supply for the conduct of the election.
"Anyway, ang mga machines duna man pud batteries nga makasustain pila ka oras but kita gapaningkamot ta nga makakuha gayud ta og enough supply para masiguro nga walay brown out as election," Paguio said.
Paguio said whatever available power supply there is during the election, it will be distributed to critical areas and polling places.
As part of the contingency plan, Cepalco would also call on volunteers such as big establishments like malls and other big businesses to provide generating facilities should the need further arise.
During Election Day, Paguio urged consumers to use energy wisely and efficiently.
Paguio said that at present, the Mindanao grid has deficit of 150MW and other factors like the prolonged drought affecting water levels in hydro-power sources have aggravated the power crisis situation in Mindanao. (AS)