Mindanao may face another power supply shortage of as much as 200 megawatts by the summer of next year, should no additional power facilities be put in place to shore up existing capacities in the electricity-starved island.
Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras issued the warning as he stressed the need to start the transfer of the diesel-fired power barges in Mindanao and to resolve the tax dispute over the 100-MW Iligan diesel power plant so that these facilities can start contributing power to the Mindanao grid by February 2013.
In an interview with reporters last week, Almendras explained that Mindanao residents may face long rotating brownouts, similar to what has been happening since the beginning of the year, unless all stakeholders, the concerned agencies and the local and provincial governments make a concerted effort to implement the said measures.
“We are asking for the help of everybody to transfer all the generation available to Mindanao. We hope that no party will block it or have it suspended via a court ruling. I hope all the LGUs will support [the Department of Energy’s power measures],” Almendras said.
“Otherwise, we’re looking at a 200-MW shortage. It also depends on the rainfall next year because if there are no rains, the Pulangi hydropower complex, which was recently rehabilitated, will not be able to generate the 200 MW it is generating now by the summer months of next year,” he added.
The problem, according to Almendras, was that the Mindanao grid is currently running with the most bare requirements. Despite the measures conducted by the government—which included the rehabilitation of the Pulangi facilities, so it can run at installed capacity of 250 MW from the previous dependable capacity of 140 MW—the Mindanao grid remains short of adequate supply.
As of last Saturday, the Mindanao grid registered a 40-MW power supply deficit.
“We also have to prepare for the additional demand [from Mindanao power consumers and industries],” Almendras added.—Amy R. Remo