Pulangi IV resumes operations after shutdown for repairs

By Walter I. Balane | Wednesday| April 27, 2011 

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/26 April) — The 255-megawatt Pulangi IV hydroelectric power plant in Maramag, Bukidnon resumed its operations around 9:30p.m. Monday after it was shut down for repairs during the Holy Week, plant manager Rudy Brioso said Tuesday.
The National Power Corporation announced on April 20 the maintenance and repair of three units of the power facility for cracks and leaks. It announced that maintenance work would be done by April 23, ahead of the resumption of operations on April 25.

Brioso told MindaNews Monday they were able to finish on time even if they started late because of the holidays.

He said Unit 1 was restored by 8:30pm, Unit 3 by 8:40pm, and Unit 2 by 9:15pm Monday. He added they resumed operations 9:30pm on the same day with an assigned load of 100 megawatts.

Brioso said it cost them at least P600, 000 to do the repairs, which dragged over the years due to postponements. He said they could not obtain clearance to suspend operations due to power requirements that do not allow curtailment.

He said they are eyeing another repair work and suspension of operations next year at the tunnel leading to the surge pool. The repair next year will be bigger and will cost around P1 million, he said.

Brioso said the plant has not been inspected since it started operating 25 years ago.

He said the repairs caused them to lose at least P5 million daily in opportunity costs.

“But this is nothing if we did not pursue the repairs. It could have caused greater damage that could have led to flooding,” he added.  (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)