Eleven investors have expressed interest in acquiring the four diesel-fired power barges that the government is putting up for sale, according to state run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.
PSALM president and chief executive officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr. said the 11 prospective bidders had submitted preliminary requirements for the sale of Power Barges 101, 102, 103 and 104— each of which has the capacity to generate 32 megawatts.
Ledesma, however, declined to identify the bidders.
In a text message, Aboitiz Power Corp. president Erramon I. Aboitiz confirmed his company’s interest in acquiring the four barges.
Lopez-led First Gen Corp., according to company president Francis Giles Puno, is also keen on participating in the bidding for the barges.
“PSALM welcomes the positive response from the private sector considering the lag in the privatization efforts last year. The participation of investors in the government’s privatization program indicates their trust in and full support for the administration,” Ledesma said.
“Prospective buyers are currently conducting their due diligence audit of the barges. We hope to discuss their issues and concerns on the bidding terms in a pre-bid conference on Feb. 29,” he said. The bidding will be held on April 13.
The four power barges will be bundled in three packages. Package 1 will include PB 101 and 102, which are currently moored at Barrio Obrero, Iloilo City; Package 2 covers only PB 103, now in Estancia, Iloilo, and Package 3 covers PB 104, which is at the Holcim Compound in Ilang, Davao City.
The sale of the four power barges are expected to help stabilize the power supply in Mindanao, as the winning bidders will be mandated to transfer and station these facilities on the island for at least three years, until the planned coal-fired power projects in the are ready for commissioning.
National Power Corp. earlier bought these power barges from a Japanese firm, Hitachi Zosen Corp. These barges have been moved and used in areas experiencing power supply problems, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao.