More heavy power users want direct connection with Napocor

The National Power Corp. (Napocor) said a total of 45 industrial and commercial bulk-power users – including San Miguel Corp. (SMC), Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) and SM Supermalls – have applied for direct power connections with the state-run power firm.

Napocor president Cyril del Callar said this indicates the business sector’s growing confidence in the firm’s ability to provide adequate, reliable and competitively-priced power supply.

In a report, Napocor’s Marketing & Commercial Relations Department (MCRD) said the 45 applicants combine for an estimated 214,660 kilowatts (kw) of power requirements.

In the case of SMC, it is seeking a supply of 19,000 kw for its food processing plant in Mandaue City, Cebu and another 3,000 kw for its recycling plant in Mindanao.

ALI, on the other hand, needs 15,000 kw for the Laguna Technopark, while SM requires a combined 5,500 kw for its malls in Gen. Santos and Ozamis City, both in Mindanao.

The MCRD report said 19 of the interested customers are located in Luzon, while 18 are based in Mindanao. The remaining eight are from the Visayas.

According to Napocor, the applicants represent a broad range of power-intensive industries, but most are involved in mining, electronics, steel manufacturing, and food manufacturing.

It said the other companies operate economic zones, industrial estates, and universities, while a handful represent local government offices.

Other companies that want to be directly connected to Napocor include Camp John Hay Special Economic Zone in Baguio City and Ammex Corp. in Benguet, which have a demand of 20,000 kw each; Samsung Electro Mechanics in Calamba, Laguna (10,630 kw); Climax Arimco Mining Corp. in Nueva Vizcaya (15,000 kw); and Crew Minerals Inc. and Platinum Metals Corp., both located in Mindanao (10,000 kw each).

Napocor also reported that six new customers were energized in 2005, namely, Global Steelworks International Inc. (formerly National Steel Corp.) in Suarez, Iligan City; the Philippine National Oil Co. – Energy Development Corp. facilities within the Bacon-Manito and Palinpinon complexes; the People’s Energy Services Inc. in Camarines Sur; the LIDE (Leyte Industrial Development Estate) Management Corp. in Isabel, Leyte; Treasure Steelworks Corp. in Nunucan, also in Iligan City; and Purity Ice Plant & Cold Storage Inc., in Labo, Camarines Norte.

The MCRD report said these new customers contributed P270 million in additional revenues for Napocor in 2005.

A seventh customer, the Rosales Ice Plant in Pangasinan was given a power supply contract in 2005, but has yet to be energized.