Alcantara firm inks deals with 2 electric co-ops

Sarangani Energy Corp., a subsidiary of the Alcantara Group’s Alsons Consolidated Resources, has forged agreements with two electric cooperatives in Mindanao to help ensure adequate and stable electricity supply in Agusan del Sur and Davao del Norte.

In a statement, Sarangani Energy said its power supply agreements with Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (Aselco) and Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (Daneco) were signed in anticipation of a power supply shortage in Mindanao by 2014.

The expected power supply crunch was attributed to the lack of baseload power generating facilities that can supply the growing power demands of the island’s expanding population, and to Mindanao’s heavy reliance on hydropower resources.

Also, the state-run National Power Corp. had already cut power supply to several Mindanao electric cooperatives, forcing them to look for other sources of electricity.

Under the agreement, Aselco and Daneco will be supplied by Sarangani Energy with 10 megawatts and 15 MW, respectively. The capacity will come from Sarangani Energy’s coal-fired power plant in Maasim, Sarangani, which is expected to start commercial operations by 2015. The first phase of the coal project will see the generation of 105 MW and the second phase, the remaining 105 MW.

Aselco provides power to 13 municipalities and the lone city in Agusan del Sur, covering some 56,000 customers.