DMCI hopes to stave off power crunch in Palawan

DMCI Power Corp. of the Consunji group is racing to put up by Dec. 1 this year the first phase of its planned 27-megawatt diesel-fired power plant in Palawan, which is expected to help shore up power supply in the island.

In a text message, DMCI Power president Nestor Dadivas said the company was still working on securing the various permits it would need to start construction of a power unit that could generate the first 5 MW for Palawan Electric Cooperative (Paleco).

Although DMCI Power is optimistic that it will be able to put up the whole 27-MW power plant by September next year, it is however concerned about meeting its commitment for the 5-MW unit by December.

Dadivas explained that the company has yet to secure permits that would allow them access to the site of their planned diesel facility and start the civil works in the area.

“It might be difficult [to put in place] on December 1 the first 5 MW. We’ll try our best. We hope to gain access by this weekend,” Dadivas said.

In July this year, DMCI Power announced that it would put up three power generation facilities in Palawan over the next few years, to generate as much as 57 megawatts in additional capacity for the province. These power plants are expected to help plug the current and forecasted power supply crunch in Palawan, given the continuous economic growth of the province.

Dadivas earlier said that the company hoped to start commercial operations of a 27-MW diesel-fired power facility in Palawan by September 1 next year; a 15-MW coal-fired power plant in October 2014; and another 15 MW coal facility by January 2017.

All capacities will be purchased and used by Paleco.