MPC to help relieve power shortage

Sunstar Cagayan de Oro
By Richel V. Umel

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

ILIGAN CITY – The Alcantara Group-controlled Mapalad Power Corporation (MPC), which operates the 98 megawatt (MW) Iligan Diesel Power Plant (IDPP) is ready to deliver 10 MW of power beginning May 6 to provide relief to the power shortage in Mindanao especially that the May 13 elections draw near.

MPC began its rehabilitation work on the 20-year old diesel plant on March 11 this year.

The plant began operating on a ramp-up basis last month aiming at reaching a full 98 MW capacity by September 2013.

The Alcantara Group is spending P1.2 billion for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and other expenses for the re-operation of the MPC plant.

Oscar Benedict E. Contreras III, manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations of Alsons Power Business told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that Iligan City will be prioritized since it’s the host city of the plant.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will approve the Power Sales Agreement (PSA) between MPC and Iligan Light and Power, Inc. (ILPI) the distribution utility covering Iligan City.

ILPI has chosen to avail of only 10 MW from MPC out of the 22 MW that it needs to cover its energy deficit.

ILPI is opting to obtain its remaining power requirements from other sources such as ILPI’s own embedded diesel plant.

MPC has already signed off almost 90 percent of its full capacity via PSAs with the following distribution utilities aside from ILPI: South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SOCOTECO II) for 30 MW covering General Santos city, the entire province of Sarangani and 2 municipalities in South Cotabato.

The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Zamcelco) for 18 MW, covering Zamboanga city; Zamboanga del Sur I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Zamsureco 1) for 5 MW, covering Pagadian City and 24 municipalities in Zamboanga del Sur.

Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative (ANECO) for 15 MW, covering Butuan City and other areas of Agusan del Norte; Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative (ASELCO) for 10 MW, covering Bayugan City and all 13 municipalities of Agusan del Sur.

Pending the approval of these PSA’s by the ERC, these distribution utilities will be able to access electricity from the MPC plant, thus significantly reducing the power outages in their respective service areas.   source