Private sector-led energy dev't plan eyed

Manila Bulletin

By MYRNA M. VELASCO

November 1, 2010, 4:10pm

Given the almost-complete restructuring of the power industry, the Department of Energy (DoE) is eyeing a new tack in crafting the Power Development Plan (PDP) by shifting from the traditional government-driven to one that will already put the private sector in the lead.

In preparing the revised PDP, Energy Secretary Rene D. Almendras noted that there will be some factors to be considered, especially those that are underpinned by the environment espoused by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).

This, as the energy chief debunked reports that he ever inferred installed capacity or the rated/maximum capacity of power plant being the basis of the energy department in painting the country’s power supply situation.

“I have already emphasized in various fora that it is not appropriate to use in the assessment of the power supply and demand situation the installed capacity of the plants but rather the actual available capacity which are lower than the dependable capacity.

I have never said in any discussion that there is ample power supply since the first day of my assumption of office in the Energy Department,” Almendras stressed.

He noted further that even the previous administration’s declared dependable capacity “may not be reliable;” hence, the need to explore a better approach and a more feasible formula in planning for actual capacity additions that will sufficiently meet the country’s power needs.

“The dependable capacity being used in the generation expansion simulation for the Indicative Power Development Plan (PDP) being prepared by the DoE under the EPIRA environment considers other factors such as forced outage rate, planned maintenance services, and other things that will impact the availability of the power plant to produce electricity,” the energy chief said.