DOE expects more power supply for Visayas in 2017

CEBU, Philippines - A total of 599.60 megawatts of additional power is expected to boost the existing capacity of the Cebu-Negros-Panay grid by 2017.

“Dako gyud ni matabang sa atong power demand sa Visayas. All of these committed capacity are expected to go online by 2017 and by 2018 our power demand is projected to increase,” said Department of Energy-7 director Antonio Labios.

Labios said that “committed capacity” means that the construction of these power plants is ongoing and there is already a financial closure.

Based on DOE report posted on its website, of the total committed capacity, 352 MW is coal, 104 mw is wind power, 57 MW is biomass, 50 MW is geothermal, and 16 MW is hydropower.

Report shows that 13 power plants are currently being built, two of which are in Cebu, five in Negros Occidental, and one each in Negros Oriental, Iloilo, Antique, Bohol, Aklan, and Guimaras.

In Cebu, the P10.17 billion Toledo Power Corporation coal-fired power plant expansion project which has a capacity of 82 MW is expected to go online by September 2014.

The P199 million worth Consolacion Landline Methane Recovery and Electricity Generation of Asian Energy System Corporation that has a rated capacity of 3.6 MW is also expected to be operational by June of 2015.

Aside from the committed capacity of 599.60 in the Visayas, there is an indicative rated capacity of 776.20 MW coming from the private sector which has an intention to build power plants.

Labios explained that they considered this an “indicative capacity” since there is no final financial closure with regards to the proposed project.

“Pasabot aning indicative nga intention pa lang ni nga maghimo sila og power plants but not necessarily nga mahinayon ang project,” Labios added.

Based on the same DOE report, 20 new power plants will be built and two of these are in Cebu— the P23 billion worth 300mw Therma Visayas Energy Project of  Therma Visayas Inc. in Toledo City and 1x20 MW P1.512 billion worth FDC Danao CFB Coal Power Plant of FDC Utilities Inc.

“Kung mahinayon ni og tukod ang tanang power plants, dako kaayo ni makatabang sa atong economic growth,” Labios added.

The other 18 power plants will be situated in Antique (5), Negros Occidental (5), Iloilo (2), Leyte (2), Biliran (1), Negros Oriental (1), Bohol (1) and Aklan (1). (FREEMAN)