Aboitiz Power to dispatch barge to Mindanao

Manila Times.net
Published : Saturday, December 03, 2011 00:00 Written by : Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo


ABOITIZ Power Corp. plans to send one of its power barges in Navotas to Mindanao next year in anticipation of the tight power supply in the region.
Bobby Orig, AP first vice president for Mindanao, said wholly owned subsidiary Therma Marine Inc. will send a power barge “to ensure that our economic progress will continue.”


“By bringing in this facility, Mindanao is assured of continued supply of reliable and affordable power to fuel its economy and provide convenience to the people of Mindanao,” he said.


The barge would be sent to either Nasipit, Agusan del Norte or Maco, Compostela Valley, where the company has its other 200-megawatt power barge facilities docked.


Mindanao is expected to suffer from power outages next year should the dry months pick up. The region relies on hydro facilities for more than half of its power supply during normal weather conditions.


AP owns four diesel-fed power barges moored at the fishport complex in Navotas. The facilities are designed for peak load application or the time of day when demand is at its highest.


When fully operational, the barges will have an aggregate deliverable generating capacity of 242 megawatts.


The modular plants have not been operating for almost five years. AP bought them from Duracom Mobile Power Corp. and East Asia Diesel Power Corp. in May for P2.3 billion.