RLC joins DOE’s remedial power scheme

Anticipating the tight power situation in Luzon this summer, Robinsons Land Corp. of the JG Summit group said it is participating in the programs of the Department of Energy (DOE) to ease power demand.

RLC officials said separately that their respective business units are participating in DOE’s power savings drive as well as the so-called Interruptible Load Program (ILP) for Luzon.

“Robinsons Malls is already participating in the ILP in areas where this is already being implemented, such as in Cebu. In Mindanao, where we have malls in four cities (Butuan, GenSan, Davao and CDO) and where power shortage is now being experienced, we are likewise ready to participate in the ILP. The same holds true for our malls in Luzon,” said Arlene G. Magtibay, general manager and SVP commercial centers division.

On power demand management, Magtibay said RLC helps by systematically replacing major power consuming equipment such as airconditioning and lighting equipment with more energy efficient and environment friendly ones.

Elizabeth Gregorio, general manager for Robinsons hotels and resorts, said Go Hotels Puerto Princesa is participating in the ILP. On power management, Go Hotels encourages guests to turn off energy devices when they leave their room. Summit Ridge Hotel Tagaytay maximizes use of natural lighting and minimizes airconditioning, Gregorio said.

For RLC’s residential buildings, measures include the use of LED lights, not turning on lights that are unnecessary, and the rotation of elevators, said SVP Mybelle V. Aragon-Gobio.

Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said that about 500MW of electricity may be available from big power users such as malls under the ILP. Establishments with large-capacity generation sets may be asked in times of high electricity demand to use their own generated electricity instead of drawing from the grid. Qualified establishments enrolled in the ILP program will then get paid for using their own power.

According to DOE data, JG Summit’s Robinsons Group has a back-up capacity of 60MW.

Petilla said the ILP scheme will be implemented only when supply is tight and prices at the spot market are too high. “This is not going to be everyday. Maybe it will only be 12 hours a year,” Petilla said.

The ILP is meant to ease tight supply situations and allow distribution utilities such as the Manila Electric Co. to serve other customers at peak hours.