DMCI sees delay in P900-M Palawan power project

MANILA, Philippines - Off-grid energy producer DMCI Power Corp. (DPC) anticipates a delay in the completion of its P900-million bunker-fired power plant in Irawan, Puerto Princesa City due to site issues.

The power project was targeted to start commercial operations by the last quarter of 2017 but encountered problems in location, the company said in an e-mailed statement to The STAR.

“Completion of the bunker plant in Irawan, Puerto Princesa will not be realized this year as DPC encountered issues related to the project site,” DPC said.

“There might be a change in the planned location of the bunker plant,” it added.

Earlier, the company said constructing the new plant on the planned location would expectedly lessen transmission line constraints in the delivery of power.

The power project is being built at the request of Palawan Electric Cooperative (Paleco).

DPC said Paleco asked for a replacement to its existing high-speed diesel generator sets to a more reliable bunker-fired plant to assist in alleviating the power interruptions in the main grid of Palawan.

Meanwhile, the company said it is working closely with the Department of Energy National Electrification Administration (NEA), the National Power Corp. and Masbate local government units, especially the Office of the Governor, for the settlement of Masbate Electric Cooperative’s (Maselco) P240 million overdue obligations.

It said options are being explored on how to settle the balance, including efficiency in its settlement of future obligations, construction of the 69-kilovolt transmission line and improvements of the distribution line.

“Plans of which will be discussed during NEA’s initiative of a strategic planning for Maselco being scheduled this July,” DPC said.       — Danessa Rivera