PSALM sets Dec 15 auction for last set of Napocor contracts

MANILA, Philippines - The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) has set on Dec. 15 the bidding for the last set of management contracts for National Power Corp. (Napocor) assets to be auctioned off this year.

PSALM president Jose Ibazeta said their board has approved the bidding for the appointment of independent power producer administrators (IPPAs) to manage Napocor’s contracted capacities in the Bakun, Benguet and San Roque hydroelectric power plants.

Ibazeta said they hope the nine groups that have expressed interest to bid will participate.

 “I’m sure this will be an exciting one because there are a lot of bidders,” he said.

Ibazeta stressed PSALM would no longer grant any request for bidding extension. “There will be no more extension. We will proceed as scheduled,” he said.

PSALM has earlier moved the bidding of the Bakun, Benguet and San Roque IPPAs from the initial schedule of Nov. 11 upon the request of the bidders.

Specifically, PSALM will bid out Napocor’s contracted capacities in the 70-megawatt (MW) Bakun hydroelectric power plant, the 30-MW Benguet mini-hydropower plants, and the 345-MW San Roque multipurpose hydroelectric power plant, all located in Northern Luzon.

The Bakun plant is located in Alilem, Ilocos Sur; the Benguet mini-hydro facilities lie in the Cordillera Administrative Region; while the San Roque hydro plant is based in San Manuel, Pangasinan. The Bakun and Benguet contracts will be bid out as one package.

As previously announced, the participating bidders have to bid for all these hydro power facilities and can win as many as they can. Bidders who will submit an offer for only one of the contracted capacities will be disqualified. Also a joint bid for any of the contracted capacities will not be allowed.

PSALM rules state that a qualified bidder may be declared the winning bidder for any one or all of the contracted capacities.