Friday, December 3, 2010

More power seen from coal, but costs to go up, too

By Carla Gomez
Inquirer Visayas
First Posted 20:45:00 12/03/2010


BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—The Visayas is expected to have additional supply of power by next year, but at higher rates, energy officials said yesterday.
Rey Maleza, supervisor of the Energy Industry Management Division of the Department of Energy-Visayas Field Office, said three coal-fired power plants would be fully operational by next year.
The three power plants included that of Panay Energy Development Corp. in Iloilo with 150 megawatts, Cebu Energy Development Corp. in Toledo City, Cebu, with 210 MW and Kepco Salcon in Naga, Cebu, with 200 MW, Maleza said during a press conference here on Thursday.
This would provide the Visayas with a power reserve of about 100 to 150 MW, he said.
Maleza and other DOE officials held a press conference in Bacolod City to call on consumers to help conserve energy.
Maleza also lauded efforts of Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon to convince investors to build power plants in the province.
The DOE is celebrating the National Energy Consciousness Month this December with the theme “Towards Energy Access for More Through Energy Efficiency and Conservation.”
“Energy efficiency will reduce need for oil imports. Such reduction will lower the capital and operating costs of electricity and will consequently provide Filipinos with sufficient electricity at lower costs,” a DOE statement said.
“For companies, increased energy efficiency means more savings and profit, which will lead to greater company stability, more jobs and competitive markets,” it added.
The DOE also said energy conservation and efficiency would also mean less environmental stress.
It would be ideal to buy power from a plant closer to the area to prevent transmission wastage and ensure stability, Maleza said.

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