Cebu’s water, power supply issue now a thing of the past

The foreseen water and power supply shortage in Cebu in the next few years should no longer be something to worry about as private entities are now bent on helping Cebu have an adequate supply of these utilities especially for investors.

The commercial operation of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM0 come January 2008, has encouraged some private companies, which have generation facilities to offer their extra power supply to the commercial market.

WESM training and promotions unit head Regino H. Galindez said extra power supply will be made available in the commercial spot market for the big power consumers in the Visayas, as companies like Vicsal Development Corporation,

Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation (PASAR), and other private entities expressed interest to sell their excess power capacity through the spot market.

“They are looking at selling their power excess capacity through WESM” said Galindez.

With this, other big companies that have a minimum requirement of one-megawatt could source their power need through WESM, in case their suppliers can not supply additional requirement in a certain time-frame.

Although, these companies are also registered as buyers in the electricity spot market, they can also opt to offer their excess capacity to the market, if there is a huge demand, Galindez said.

On the other hand, the perceived water supply shortage in Cebu, which used to be one of the problems identified to hit Cebu in the next few years, can now be solved through the introduction of cheaper desalination technology.

The Lhuillier-led Pilipinas Water Resources Inc. (PWRI) have started its aggressive installation of water treatment, and desalination  facilities to big companies, such as retail, resorts, hotels,  subdivisions, economic zones, among others.

PWRI president Antonio Tompar said in an interview yesterday that shortage of water supply is not going to happen in Cebu, as technology will take action, through desalination, which will convert seawater to potable water.

“Technology will help solve the water supply shortage in Cebu, and other parts of the country. There is no need to worry anymore,” Tompar said.

PWRI’s partner company Mactan Rock Industries Inc. is one of the very few companies in Asia Pacific that pioneered the offering of desalinated water to industries more than a decade ago.

In fact, he said PWRI is installing a desalination plant in Punta Engaño, Mactan strip to provide ample supply of water to existing resorts, and subdivisions in the area.

“Investors are now assured of the water supply in Cebu. Desalinated water is cheaper now, at least for the big water consumers,” Tompar said.

In a separate interview with Shangri-La Mactan Resort general manager Timothy Wright, he said that the resort is going to increase its desalination capacity, in order to cut cost.