by Myrna Velasco September
15, 2016
The Department of
Energy (DOE) has drafted in its nine-point policy agenda for the continuation
of the proposed interconnection of Mindanao to Luzon and Visayas grids, but it
wants to re-examine first the cost impact on consumers.
As it previously
presented to the Senate committee on energy, the department indicated that the
transmission link-up may drive up electricity rates, hence, it takes cautionary
approach on that sphere.
The DOE said it will be
reviewing “capital recovery period” on the proposed connection of the grids;
and will also be exploring other fund sources in bankrolling the project.
That had just been one
of the challenges specified by the department, it raised other concerns on
right-of-way (ROW) hurdles and peace and order especially in Mindanao.
The power grids’
interconnection was actually a “recycled energy policy agenda” way back to the
time when state-run National Power Corporation was still being run as
vertically-integrated utility.
As initially crunched
by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), transmission
interconnection between Visayas and Mindanao could command investments of up to
R25 billion.
But that was then anchored
on a link-up via submarine cable from Leyte to Mindanao. A deep trench that
might be traversed by the facility, however, impelled NGCP to abandon the
original project blueprint.
The transmission
company thus opted to do another round of feasibility study – this time
exploring interconnection via Negros to Zamboanga routes.
The target is to
complete that undertaking by year 2022 – and such will then set the culmination
of the country’s aspiration for a centrally-connected national power grid.
The conduct of the
second batch of feasibility study was already lodged with the Energy Regulatory
Commission.
Timeline of completion
of the study is anticipated until next year.
With interconnected
power grids, the three major islands could already share power supply, albeit,
there is that degree of apprehension from Mindanao consumers that this will
drive up the power rates they have been paying for.
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