Mindanao power reserves remain slim

Manila Times.net

THE Department of Energy (DOE) is considering the transfer of state-owned power barges (PB) in Luzon that would be privatized to Mindanao to help shore up the region’s slim reserves.

DOE secretary Jose Rene Almendras said that they have already asked the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp., the government’s power sector privatization unit, if it is possible to make the transfer of PBs to Mindanao a precondition to their sale.

“We’re not yet sure of the transfer. It’s still being studied which is the best alternative,” he said.

Among government’s remaining PBs are 101 to 103. The diesel-fed facilities are currently stationed in Iloilo in Panay Island.

As sea-based modular plants, the PBs can be transferred to the region in a month or up to 45 days.

Almendras said that the facilities could help improve Mindanao’s power reserves, which is only around 100 megawatts during peak period, or the time of day when demand is at its highest.

“We’re not happy with the reserve levels in Mindanao. We’re lucky that the hydros in Mindanao are doing well, no major breakdown, it’s ok but it’s still not stable,” he added.

Besides the PBs, The DOE is also banking on the recommissioning of a diesel plant in Iligan City “in a few months” to help improve Mindanao’s power reserves in the short term.

Next year, however, could be challenging for the region depending on the weather.

It would be recalled that Mindanao was hit by widespread power outages last year after the prolonged dryspell affected the region’s hydro power plants, which provide nearly half of its power supply.

“If you’re gonna get really hot summers and problems with the hydro levels then [shortage is possible], although PAGASA made an announcement that we’re entering the La Niña phase na naman so pag natuloy yun, we’ll be ok and hopefully the new power plants come online by 2013,” Almendras said.

Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo