Province, power users to sign pact for "power swap"

CEBU, Philippines - To temporarily solve the “power crisis” that is expected to Cebu in the next months, power producers are scheduled to sign an agreement with the provincial government for a “power swap” this Thursday.

In a meeting that was called for by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia last Friday, it was emphasized that there will be an increasing demand for power in Cebu, especially that Christmas is coming, and “there is no power supply in sight.”

The Visayan Electric Company had already issued a forecast of a power shortage of up to 40 mega watts in the next months due to the holidays. To cushion the impact, VECO has launched the Interruptible Load Agreement, which is participated by major corporations in the province, which are helping ease the tight power situation by using their own generator sets for at least 20 hours per month so the entire province won’t experience blackouts.

For the past few months since the ILA was implemented, VECO admitted that the participating business establishments can only de-load 17MW, which is actually not enough to address the problem. There is still power shortage, hence additional businesses were encouraged to participate.

And since the ILA only helps ease the problem partially, the swapping operations, Garcia, said is the province’s next option.

Global Business Power Corp. president Jesus Alcordo, in a presentation, said that Panay Power Corporation has available surplus power that can be delivered to Cebu to alleviate the prevailing power shortage. This power surplus will be delivered to Cebu through the VECO. — Liv G. Campo/WAB (THE FREEMAN)