MANILA, Philippines—Expecting a tight power supply by yearend, the Department of Energy has begun mobilizing short-term solutions for Mindanao, including a possible rehabilitation of power plants currently placed under “preservation” mode.
“We had an emergency meeting to discuss the current power situation as well as make preparations for the power requirements in the last quarter of the year in Mindanao. Details of proposed solutions are currently being studied due to legal and technical aspects,” said Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras.
Almendras said in a statement that they have started studying various solutions, including demand-side management and the use of available power generation facilities “in a manner that will not drive the electricity cost too high.”
He announced that all concerned energy agencies would continue to meet weekly until the adoption of a viable short-term solution. These agencies include the National Power Corp. National Electrification Administration, National Transmission Corp. and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.
“The stakeholders and relevant parties will continually be consulted,” he added.
The energy chief, however, did not cite by how much capacity Mindanao might fall short of by the end of the year. He disclosed earlier though that the government was expecting a power supply shortage of only 50 megawatts in Mindanao by next 2011, if all the hydropower plants continued to operate at full capacities.
Should the country experience another El Niño as what happened earlier this year, the deficit may become bigger.
“Mindanao, in the past, has been reliant on hydroelectric power for its affordability. However, in light of a protracted dry season this year, questions on its reliability have been made apparent,” Almendras said.
Currently, Mindanao sources over half of its electricity requirements from hydropower sources, with the Agus-Pulangi hydropower complex providing over 900 MW.
Due to its heavy reliance over this particular source, Mindanao had been the most adversely affected by the prolonged drought felt earlier this year, as the reduced water levels at the dams had drastically cut power generating capacities to less than 10 percent.
“The DOE is keen on placing short-term solutions, which will bridge to a solution with more permanency. While placing secure and quality sources of energy is a major concern for Mindanao, the DOE is also putting emphasis on more power generation investments from diverse sources in the island,” he added.
Almendras earlier said he wanted the Mindanao grid to have at least 500 MW in baseload generation from non-hydro sources such as coal, to insulate the island from severe power outages and unstable supply in the near future.
As of Wednesday, the Mindanao grid posted a power supply deficit of 117 MW.
“We had an emergency meeting to discuss the current power situation as well as make preparations for the power requirements in the last quarter of the year in Mindanao. Details of proposed solutions are currently being studied due to legal and technical aspects,” said Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras.
Almendras said in a statement that they have started studying various solutions, including demand-side management and the use of available power generation facilities “in a manner that will not drive the electricity cost too high.”
He announced that all concerned energy agencies would continue to meet weekly until the adoption of a viable short-term solution. These agencies include the National Power Corp. National Electrification Administration, National Transmission Corp. and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.
“The stakeholders and relevant parties will continually be consulted,” he added.
The energy chief, however, did not cite by how much capacity Mindanao might fall short of by the end of the year. He disclosed earlier though that the government was expecting a power supply shortage of only 50 megawatts in Mindanao by next 2011, if all the hydropower plants continued to operate at full capacities.
Should the country experience another El Niño as what happened earlier this year, the deficit may become bigger.
“Mindanao, in the past, has been reliant on hydroelectric power for its affordability. However, in light of a protracted dry season this year, questions on its reliability have been made apparent,” Almendras said.
Currently, Mindanao sources over half of its electricity requirements from hydropower sources, with the Agus-Pulangi hydropower complex providing over 900 MW.
Due to its heavy reliance over this particular source, Mindanao had been the most adversely affected by the prolonged drought felt earlier this year, as the reduced water levels at the dams had drastically cut power generating capacities to less than 10 percent.
“The DOE is keen on placing short-term solutions, which will bridge to a solution with more permanency. While placing secure and quality sources of energy is a major concern for Mindanao, the DOE is also putting emphasis on more power generation investments from diverse sources in the island,” he added.
Almendras earlier said he wanted the Mindanao grid to have at least 500 MW in baseload generation from non-hydro sources such as coal, to insulate the island from severe power outages and unstable supply in the near future.
As of Wednesday, the Mindanao grid posted a power supply deficit of 117 MW.
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