CV needs 800 megawatts more by 2020

CEBU, Philippines - Central Visayas must raise an additional 800 megawatts of power if it wants to have enough supply by 2020.

About 2,500 megawatts in power demand is expected of the Visayas grid in 2020, but only 1,700 megawatts is the available capacity as of now.

This was disclosed during the Power 101 and Power Outlook forum for Media by the Visayan Electric Company at its office in Banilad, Cebu City yesterday.

DOE-7 Director Antonio Labios said that the projection means that the grid needs more power investments to fill up the gap between the demand and the available capacity.

“Ako, positive gyod nga before 2020 comes, daghan na atong investors basta we will continue to intensify our efforts to address this,” Labios said.

He said the DOE is conducting investment forums every year to attract more power investors.

He is positive that there would be more investors when 2020 comes and that there is a slimmer chance of the threat of a power crisis by then.

“The Visayas Grid has committed projects nga 473 megawatts and indicative power projects nga 954.5 megawatts, but kutob ra sa 2017.  Beyond 2017, we need more investments to fill the gap,” Labios said.

He said the Visayas Grid is expected to have 135 megawatts in reserve margin as the Concepcion Coal-fired Power Plant in Iloilo City will have its target testing and commissioning this June and is targeting to start commercial operation on September 2015.

Labios also said that on July 2016, one of the indicative power projects that would be ready is that of Panay Energy Development Corporation, which would expand its rated capacity by 150 megawatts.

Aboitiz Power Corporation is also having an ongoing site preparation in Toledo City for an additional 300 megawatts to add to the Visayas grid on June 2017.

Meanwhile, Theresa Sederiosa, VECO corporate communications manager, urged households and industrial companies to participate in the global initiative “Earth Hour” this Saturday,   March 28.

Consumers are asked to participate by switching off their lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to save power. — (FREEMAN)