DLPC to get 406 MW next year

Sunstar Davao
By Reuel John F. Lumawag
Wednesday, November 12, 2014

THE Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) will get additional power supply of 406.5 megawatts (MW) next year, an executive said.

Of the total power, DLPC executive vice president Arturo M. Milan, during the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) press conference at its office, said 280 MW will be contracted from the National Power Corporation (NPC), 4 MW from Hedcor Talomo, 42.5 MW from Hedcor Sibulan, 30 MW from Therma Marine Inc. (TMI), and 50 MW of the 150 MW from Therma South Inc. (TSI).

Milan said with a forecasted power demand of around 350 MW next year within its franchise area, DLPC will have an excess of more than 50 MW.

With 50 MW of possible surplus, this brings the possible surplus to 92 MW with the 42 MW from its Bajada Power Plant.

He said the franchise area of DLPC can be assured of a reliable power supply next year.

However, he urged consumers to conserve energy because in the long run, they will also be the ones to benefit from conserving power.

Milan said Mindanao has a positive power outlook for next year, with the entry of large power plants of TSI, Sarangani Energy Corporation, and San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation.

"Mindanao will have an adequate power situation next year assuming all will operate on time," he said.

However, he said consumers should expect power shortage during the first half of next year brought about by the possible El Nino.

"The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecasted that the first semester of 2015, we will have El Nino," Milan said, adding this will impact the operations of the hydro powerplants, supplying more than half of the island's electricity.

He said most of the power plants will begin operations during the second half of 2015.

The first 150 MW of the Therma South Inc.'s 300 MW Coal-fired Energy Project in Barangay Binugao, Toril, Davao City and Barangay Inawayan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur will be coming in the first quarter while the other half around the third quarter of next year.

The first 100 MW of Sarangani Energy Corporation's 200 MW Southern Mindanao Coal-fired Power Station, located in Maasim, Sarangani, will go online around the third quarter while the first 150 MW of the 300 MW SMC Davao Power Plant Project of the San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation in Malita, Davao del Sur will come in by the end of 2015.

"This will happen during the summer months. So, if there are critical months it would be the summer months," Milan said.

He said that as far as the DLPC franchise is concerned, consumers can expect an adequate supply of energy. source