Gov’t steps up efforts to build new power plants
MANILA, Philippines - The government is stepping up efforts to build and complete new power plants to help address a looming power deficit in Luzon in 2015, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said.
In a speech during the signing of the power supply agreement (PSA) between Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (Ormeco) and Emerging Power Inc. (EPI) in Oriental Mindoro, Petilla said the government is counting on the private sector to build more plants.
The Ormeco and EPI deal involves the construction of the 40-megawatt Montelago Geothermal Power Plant in in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
“There are so many problems in the Philippines regarding electric cooperatives. In comparison, Ormeco is well managed, with solid financials and no problems. So when I arrive here, I am not greeted by problems. I am greeted by signings. These are the events I prefer to attend,†Petilla said.
EPI is undertaking the $180-million project, possibly with partial funding from the Netherlands Development Finance Co. (FMO). It will provide 20 megawatts of power to Ormeco and another 20 megawatts to Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO).
Mindoro is currently relying on energy from diesel and small hydrothermal power plants that are not enough to provide for the needs of the entire island.
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