Bantayan’s power expected to improve

CEBU, Philippines —  Residents of Bantayan Island would expect a significant reduction in power outages, as their sole distribution utility is getting a much-needed 3 megawatts (MW) of emergency supply from Vivant subsidiary Isla Norte Energy Corporation (INEC).

INEC, a partnership of Vivant Energy Corporation and Gigawatt Power Inc., has brought generators to Bantayan to provide power to the Bantayan Electric Cooperative (BANELCO) during a shortfall in generation on the part of BANELCO’s current power provider.

BANELCO General Manager Lee Rivera said the occurrence of almost daily outages that the electric coop’s member-consumers have had to endure is tantamount to an emergency situation that needed to be addressed.

BANELCO has sought an exemption to the competitive selection process (CSP) from the Department of Energy to secure the interim power supply from INEC.

“The welfare and comfort of BANELCO member-consumer-owners have been and will always be our utmost priority. The past several months had been a nightmare and an unfortunate experience that we wish will not happen again,” Rivera said.

Rivera added that the 3MW interim or emergency power supply will address the power supply shortage of the current power provider and they hope it will also allow them to properly fix and maintain their generating units without resorting to power curtailment.

The generators brought in by INEC provide nearly half of the island’s total demand.

“It’s not the ultimate solution but it will greatly improve the power supply situation in Bantayan Island,” Rivera said.

“We’re honored to be given this opportunity to help the people of Bantayan, both by bringing in emergency power supply and through our long-term commitment to provide sufficient and reliable power with the INEC power plant,” said Vivant Energy Corporation President Arlo A. G. Sarmiento.

INEC is constructing a 23.3-MW diesel power plant that will supply the long-term total power requirement of Bantayan Island.

INEC has been awarded a 15-year contract to supply BANELCO’s power requirements following a successful CSP. The INEC plant is expected to be completed in 2021.

Rivera expressed gratitude to the National Electrification Administration, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, the Provincial Board through PB Member Horacio Franco, Rep. Janice Salimbangon (Cebu, 4th District), Bantayan Mayor Art Despi, Sta. Fe Mayor Ithamar Espinosa and Madridejos Mayor Salvador de la Fuente for helping facilitate BANELCO’s application for exemption.

Salimbangon, Franco and Despi also joined Vivant and INEC officials during the ceremonial switch-on of the interim power supply last Aug. 27 in Barangay Bantigue, Bantayan. — GAN (FREEMAN)