ERC clears longer power deals between TMI, Mindanao coops

MANILA, Philippines – The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has given the go-signal to Aboitiz unit Therma Marine Inc. (TMI) to implement longer power supply deals with five Mindanao electric cooperatives (ECs).

This will give the Visayas grid additional and secure power in the next three years.

In separate approvals, the ERC has cleared TMI’s energy supply agreements (ESAs) with Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative Inc. (Buseco), Cotabato Electric Cooperative Inc.-Main (Cotelco), Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative Inc. (Sukelco), Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative Inc. (Zamcelco) and Zamboanga del Norte  Electric Cooperative Inc. (Zaneco).

The regulatory clearance will allow the ECs an extended power supply of three years from TMI.

The ERC green-lit the five megawatts (MW) of supply to Buseco starting May 2015, 18 MW to Zamcelco from April 2015 and five MW to Zaneco from June 2015.

Meanwhile, Cotelco-Main and Sukelco will have extended three-year contracts with TMI for eight MW each after the original deal expires in December 2016.

The extended supply will be sourced from TMI’s owned and operated power barges, namely the 100-MW Power Barge (PB) 117 in Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte and the 100-MW PB 118 in Maco, Compostela Valley.

Buseco serves the power needs of the city of Malaybalay and nine municipalities in Bukidnon.

Cotelco-Main’s franchise area include the city of Kidapawan and 11 municipalities in Cotabato while Sukelco’s covers one city and 11 other municipalities in Cotabato.

Zamcelco distributes electricity to Zamboanga City while Zaneco powers up two cities and 20 municipalities in Zamboanga del Norte.