Power supply can't meet Visayas demand

The disparity between demand and supply for power in the Visayas can be traced to minimal reserves. Engr. Jimmy Sevilla, the network operation division manager of the National Transmission Corporation-Visayas said "critical" means that the existing power generation is lesser than what is required.

The Visayas region requires 90 megawatts power generation during peak season, but generates only less than 50 megawatts.

Sevilla hopes there will be no tripping off of the existing power supply to avoid brownouts in the region.

Sevilla said that under the existing laws, Transco is prohibited to add more power plants.

Two private power plants are being proposed in Naga, Cebu, and Panay island, but Sevilla said the realization for such would take three to five years.

Sevilla said once the two power plants will be realized, these would allow for a generation of about 200 megawatts from each plant believed sufficient to cope with the demand.

Transco also said yesterday that the laying of cable of the Leyte-Cebu Interconnection Uprating Project was completed last May 28. The ceremonial laying of cable was headed by President Arroyo last May 7.

Completion of the project is expected by October and is hoped to supply an additional 200 megawatts to the existing power supply in Cebu.