Thursday, September 16, 2010

Mayor opens Iloilo to other power suppliers

ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has welcomed the entry of other power suppliers in the city following reports that lone power distributor Panay Electric Company (Peco) is charging the highest rate in the entire country.
Mabilog said he is yet to meet with representatives of Peco, power generators Panay Power Corp. (PPC) and Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC), both subsidiaries of Global Business Power Corp., and Metrobank to discuss the issue as pointed out by consumer group Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC).
Mabilog said if possible, he will request for reduction of power rates in the city that PEDC earlier promised. The rate would be lowered to P2 per kilowatt-hour (kwh).
He also said the City Government is issuing a yearly permit to all business firms, and may revoke or cancel the permit and license of erring firms not approved to operate by the city.
The mayor said the entry of other power suppliers, including renewable energy, may help in "shocking" Peco's high power rate, especially now that the government is looking into the feasibility of renewable energy in the provinces.
In Western Visayas, wind energy power is being harnessed by Trans Asia Philippines in the island province of Guimaras and construction is ongoing for a wind power technology in the municipality of Sebaste, Guimaras.
Agricultural biomass is the main fuel source of Global Green Power supported by the British Embassy with an ongoing construction of its power plant in Mina, Iloilo.
Another energy firm is also eyeing the river water power to produce energy in the province of Aklan.
PPC is using diesel fuel, while sister company PEDC is operating the first coal fired power plant in the region.
The FDC report showed the comparative monthly electric rates in Iloilo City as compared with other Philippine cities. Peco is charging P13.30 per kwh rate in Iloilo, while Manila has P10 per kwh serviced by Meralco.
The report also said that Davao City is served by Davao Light at P6.87 per kwh; General Santos City by Socoteco II at P5.46; Tacloban City by Leyeco at P7.14; Cebu City by Veco at P8.99; and Bacolod City by Ceneco at P6.43
Global electricity rates showed that Europe has P4.81 peso equivalent per kwh; Australia at P3.60; Canada - P2.70; China - P1.53; Taiwan - P3.37; France _ P4.59; Germany - P5.58; India - P1.75; Japan - P9.63; South Korea - P3.19; Russia - P0.22; Spain - P4.90; South Africa - P1.71; Sweden - P4.54; Thailand - P2.70; United Kingdom - P4.72; and United States - P3.82. (Lydia C. Pendon)

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