MANILA, Philippines–Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras has stressed the need for the Negros Island to have in place the two proposed coal-fired power plants that can generate a combined 170 megawatts (MW), to secure electricity supply in the island.
In an interview with reporters, Almendras noted that Cadiz Mayor Patrick Escalante was right to allow the construction of these facilities because Negros Island—which currently depends on the power coming from neighboring provinces like Cebu and Panay—does not have its own power plant.
“I agree that a major island like Negros should have generation capacity on the island itself in case you have transmission problems. One of the biggest risks we have in the energy sector is transmission because the Philippines is frequented by typhoons and our transmission facilities are above ground,” Almendras explained.
“We need to understand the need to control this transmission risk by dispersing the generation capacity as best as we can,” he added.
The 100-MW coal-fired power plant is reportedly being put up by Pacific Energy Corp. while the other 70-MW facility is being undertaken by Philippine Power Corp. Both facilities will be put up in Cadiz, Negros Occidental.
The energy chief further pointed out how critical these two facilities will be to Negros in several years’ time, given the growing electricity demand on the island, which is being fueled by the increasing number of businesses that have begun to locate there. These companies will be needing additional power to support their operations.