EDITORIAL - Key to energy stability

There is now an additional power for Cebu after a unit of the 246 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Toledo City became operational last Friday. No less than President Gloria Arroyo switched on the 82 megawatt plant owned by the Cebu Energy Development Corporation.

During the event, Arroyo hailed the additional power as vital to Cebu's economic survival in this time when the country has been saddled with energy crisis. "The additional power is much needed especially Cebu has been experiencing rotating brownouts," she said.

The 82 megawatt additional power formed the first of the three units of the coal power plant that the CEDC is developing in Toledo. Completion of the three units is slated this year.

This additional energy comes at a time when Cebu's power supply has shrunk to a critical level. For months, power interruptions occurred daily in Metro Cebu and in other areas across the province as the country is being battered by the worst power crisis in the last 10 years.

Although the additional power is a big boost to Cebu's power supply, it is not yet enough to solve the ongoing energy crisis in the province. Rotating brownouts are seen to continue because the already operational first unit of the CEDC power plant is not enough to satisfy the province's huge energy shortfall.      

CEDC president Jesus Alcordo admitted that Cebu has a shortfall of 233 megawatts but that can be satisfied once the plant's three units will be fully operational this year. But Alcordo's assurance of stable power supply once the plant's fully operates remains to be seen.

We all know that the power sector's output is not yet enough to accommodate the strong energy demand of the province. And, of course, there are some technical difficulties that power generators sometimes go through, which can greatly affect supply distribution.  

Given Cebu's dire need for a stable power supply, concrete steps must be taken towards a steady flow to sustain its economic activity. Since the province is still relying on its neighboring areas for some of its energy consumption, it is high time to concentrate on local production.

Cebu can never attain energy stability by relying on outside supply. The only key to power sufficiency is through intensifying local production. But this can only be achieved through the participation of more players in the industry.