Therma Marine Inc. of the Aboitiz group has been given the green light to start supplying power to two electric cooperatives in Mindanao—a move that will help increase the volume of power for distribution on the island.
These approvals are especially crucial now that the Mindanao grid is on red alert due to lack of power supply reserves.
In two separate orders, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) gave its approval for the power supply agreements between Therma Marine and Zamboanga Del Sur I Electric Cooperative Inc. (Zamsureco I) and Zamboanga Del Sur II Electric Cooperative Inc. (Zamsureco II).
The ERC noted that these would provide consumers with “continuous, reliable, efficient and affordable power supply.”
Under the agreement, Therma Marine will supply 5 megawatts of power to Zamsureco I over the next three years.
The electricity will be sourced from the diesel-fired Power Barge 117, located in Brgy. Sta. Ana, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, and/or the PB 118, which is currently moored in Brgy. San Roque, Maco, Compostela Valley.
Each of the power barge has the capacity to generate 100 megawatts.
Similarly, the agreement between Therma Marine and Zamsureco II will be in effect for three years, in which the Aboitiz-led firm will be supplying 4 MW. The electricity will also be sourced from the two power barges.
Therma Marine’s power barges were previously owned by the state-run National Power Corp.
In July 2009, parent firm APC won the negotiated bid with the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. for the acquisition of the power barges, which were then turned over to the power giant in 2010 upon payment of the bid prices.