Published
By Myrna M. Velasco
The Visayas-Mindanao
Interconnection Project (VMIP) is hinted as the ‘pilot project’ that will
likely test the viability of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No.
30, or the Malacanang-issued policy streamlining processes of energy project
approvals.
Energy Secretary
Alfonso G. Cusi indicated to reporters that he is already nudging the Energy
Investment Coordinating Council (EICC) led by Senior Energy Undersecretary
Jesus Cristino P. Posadas on the completion of the crafting of the EO’s
implementing rules and regulations.
“I am rushing them
(EICC body) because we’re going to declare already a project of national
significance…A pilot project for the EO,” he said.
When prodded which
particular project would serve as EO 30’s test case, the energy chief sounded
off that “it could be the interconnection,” referring to the long-planned
link-up of the Visayas and Mindanao power grids.
Cusi has not been very
specific though if the EO 30-supported VMIP would be the one undertaken by
concessionaire National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) or the
government-proposed venture to be carried out by the National Transmission
Corporation.
NGCP already secured
regulatory approval on its proposed VMIP through the installation of submarine
cable from Cebu to Zamboanga, which has been estimated to command total
investment of R52 billion.
Cusi is still
ambivalent though of having this project done as a purely private sector
undertaking, noting that having this project bankrolled by the Malampaya fund
remains an option.
“Why we are proposing
the Malampaya fund? It’s not a competition with NGCP or TransCo…because if we
use the Malampaya fund, the consumers would no longer shoulder the cost of
putting up that interconnection,” he said.
Cusi added “our main
concern is that, our (electricity tariff) is still the highest…that’s why we’re
also making a study to find out why we have the highest rates.”
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