Power co-op braces for speedy economic growth in Boracay

By Jun Aguirre - February 6, 2018

https://businessmirror.com.ph/power-co-op-braces-for-speedy-economic-growth-in-boracay/

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan—The Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco) is bracing for this island-resort’s speedy economic growth, trying to cope with limited resources and threats.

Alexis Regalado, Akelco general manager, said Akelco will upgrade and add more submarine cable lines in their 20-mega-Volt ampere (MVA) Caticlan Substation. Contractors are currently processing necessary permits for the activity.

Despite earning negative reviews for several years due to environmental degradation, Boracay continues to lure more tourists. Because of this, more new hotels are going to be constructed in Boracay.

Reports said a consortium led by property developer Double Dragon Properties Corp. has already broken ground here for what will soon be the biggest hotel in the Philippines in terms of room count.

Regalado said a remedial measure is also being undertaken to minimize power interruptions in the province.

“Currently, upgrading the Lezo Substation is nearly 100-percent accomplished. The 15-MVA power transformer donated by Kepco, or the Korea Power Corp., is already in place at the Lezo substation to replace the existing 5-MVA power transformer that caters power demand of the municipalities of Numancia, Lezo, Malinao, Portion of Madalag, Makato and Portion of Tangalan. Likewise, the 13.2-kilo-Volt takeoff feeders’ wood structure of Lezo substation is now changed into steel gantry,” he added.

Because of the continuous development in Boracay, stakeholders have been complaining of frequent brownouts. The Akelco blamed wind, predators that cross electrical pole lines are among the reasons that cause power interruptions.

Roger Orillos, manager of the Akelco Institutional Development Department; and Rod Quimpo, a member of the Board of Directors, confirmed on separate interviews they had been receiving reports of a private firm wanting to establish an independent power producer (IPP) here.

“But we have been telling our member consumers to stand guard and not to allow IPPs in the province,” Orillos said.

The Akelco supplies exclusive electricity in the province, including neighboring Pandan and Libertad towns in Antique. The power cooperative is dependent on the directions and programs being decided and offered by the National Electrification Administration.

Vicky Salem, a businesswoman and a resident of Boracay said she had been volunteering among the stakeholders here to update them on the improvements being undertaken by Akelco.