Power plant project to solve Cebu’s woes

CEBU — A proposed $270-million coal-fired power plant project is expected to address Cebu’s dwindling power supply by 2008.

Renerio Lastimoso, vice president for power generation of Salcon Power Corp., said in a press briefing the other day that by 2008, the peak electricity demand in Cebu is expected to be at 628 megawatts.

If no new power plants are built, he said any failure of the submarine cable which supplies power to Cebu from Leyte would plunge Cebu into prolonged darkness.

The proposed two 100-megawatt power plants will be built on a 10-hectare reclaimed lot in the Naga power plant complex. They are expected to generate at least 10,000 new jobs, especially from the coal mining industry.

Lastimoso lamented that although Cebu is considered the most economically active in the Visayas region, its embedded power supply is far not enough to meet its power demand since it is dependent on Leyte’s submarine cable.

Salcon Power Corp. is partnering with Korean Electric Philippines Corp. for the power plant project.

Salcon-Kepco said in a press statement that they understand the concerns and anxiety raised by various sectors.

"We see the need to inform the public about (the) project and clarify issues raised because of exaggerated claims by some quarters. However, it is clear that the economic, social and environmental benefits owing to the construction of the clean coal power plants far outweigh actual adverse effects," they said. — Mitchelle Calipayan/ Freeman News Service