SPUG power plants in Palawan, Samar now online

National Power Corp. (Napocor) is now running one of its diesel-fired power plants in Palawan continuously and has brought online another in Samar amid efforts to provide better and reliable service to off-grid areas.

Napocor’s Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) said in a statement that it was now providing round-the-clock power service to communities that relied on its Balabac Diesel Power Plant.

Napocor SPUG said this covered six barangays with more than 500 connected households in Balabac.

The generator has a total dependable capacity of 460 kilowatts but the demand is at 150 kw.

Notable for its uncommon indigenous plant and animal species, such as the nocturnal Philippine mouse-deer, or Pilandok, Balabac is a destination for eco-tourists. The island is also home to dugongs, saltwater crocodiles, sawfishes and sea turtles.

Also, Napocor on March 19 started operations of its Camandag diesel power plant on the island of the same name, which is part of Sto. Niño town in Samar.

After undergoing commissioning that started in September 2018, the 180-kw Camandag facility now serves 700 households at a demand of 80 kw.

Napocor said the Camandag plant was one of nine locations in Samar where the state firm was opening up for expansion of its off-grid service coverage.