Napocor cuts generation charges in Bohol islands

The National Power Corp. (Napocor) said yesterday it has brought down its power generation charges in 12 islands in Bohol province.

The state-owned power firm said the reduced power rates was an offshoot of the decision of its Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) to take over the operation of the generation facilities that provide the power supply to these areas.

Napocor said the lower rates took effect last Feb. 26.

Specifically, power rates will go down from more than P12 per kilowatt-hour (kwh) to only P5.6404 per kwh in the following islands: Cuaming and Hambongan in Inabanga; Mantata-o, Calape; Cabilao, Loon; Balicasag, Panglao; Pamilacan, Baclayon; and Bag-ong Banwa, Batasan, Bilangbilangan, Mocaboc, Pangapasan and Ubay all in Tubigon.

Since 1999, electricity in these islands is supplied by the diesel power plants being operated and maintained by the local electric cooperative –Bohol I Electric Cooperative Inc. (BOHECO I).

Over the past few years, however, BOHECO I had been unable to provide reliable and efficient electricity in the areas due to rising fuel prices and operation and maintenance costs, as well as the frequent breakdown of its generating sets.

Napocor noted that this prompted the beleaguered cooperative to ask the state-run power generation company to take over the operation of the power plants covering the 12 islands.

Napocor said the lower power rates for the 12 Bohol islands had been previously approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Napocor will source the funding for its operation in the 12 areas from the universal charge for missionary electrification (UC-ME).

Meanwhile, BOHECO I will continue to operate and maintain the distribution systems in the islands.