House probe on power set Tuesday

Monday, March 12, 2012 House probe on power set Tuesday House probe on power set Tuesday Mindanao Gold Star Daily Monday, 12 March 2012 THE issue of power shortage in Mindanao will be discussed during a congressional inquiry set tomorrow.   The Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA), acting on behalf of the Mindanao power and business sectors, earlier called for an inquiry by the House committee on energy and special committee on Mindanao affairs into the Mindanao power situation and the curtailment scheme implemented by the National Grid Corp. ofthe Philippines (NGCP). NGCP is a private firm that operates and maintains the country's transmission network and responsible for delivering electricity to the distribution utilities and electric cooperatives.   "We understand that NGCP's action prompted distributors (mostly rural electric cooperatives) to implement two to four hours daily brownout," Minda chair Luwalhati Antonino said. She said that in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City area, brownouts would sometimes last for 10 hours.   Antonino, however, believed that both the Agus 2 and Pulangi hydropower plants have a combined 65mw or more untapped capacity that could sustain demand within a few hours during peak loads.  She said Agus, on hand hand, has an installed capacity of 180mw but only 90mw is being transmitted to the Mindanao grid. On the other hand, Pulangi has an installed capacity of 255mw but only 180-200mw is being dispatched.  Antonino said Pulangi's installed capacity can still be increased if dredging is done to optimize its operation. Likewise, Agus 2's output could be further stretched to a level that will not violate environmental policy on the operation of the plant or a level that will not cause flooding at Balo-i area. Although "it is not yet clear if the 65mw is the reserved power for Mindanao," Antonino said, this can be utilized during peak hours when demand surges. "Why isn't it being used when a lot of Mindanaoans are suffering from the daily brownout?" she asked.  Antonino said the congressional inquiry would hopefully shed light on these issues. In January, the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO) reported that the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) was withholding the appropriation for the maintenance of Agus and Pulangi because the plants were due for sale as provided for by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) law. AMRECO said this contributed to the poor performance of the hydro plants. Last year, the National Power Corp. (NPC) reported that at least P3 billion was needed to rehabilitate the hydropower facilities in Mindanao which can contribute to an additional combined power ranging from 100mw to 200mw if realized. Power generation in Mindanao has been steadily increasing at an average annual growth rate of 4.7 percent from 2002-2009. In the second quarter of 2010, the average and peaking capabilities of the hydro power plants dropped to 771mw and 860mw, respectively, resulting in brownouts lasting four-six hours daily in several areas during that period. Today, Mindanao is again confronted with "red alert" status since the start of the year, with around 80-100mw deficiency as reported by NGCP.   The Department of Energy (DOE) has projected that demand for power in Mindanao would increase by an average of 4.6 percent annually over the next 10 years. "To meet and sustain this demand, at least 1,000mw new capacities must be installed over the next decade and still another 1,500mw from 2021 to 2030," said Antonino.   She said the installation of new capacities on a progressive basis is becoming highly imperative.  However, Antonino said that through the years, energy and power infrastructure plans, programs and projects were largely prepared and decided upon in the national capital. "Hence, strong collaboration of the Mindanao local government units, private sector and industry stakeholders, emerged immensely crucial in leveraging Mindanao's reasonable interests," she said.  (PNA) You might also like: