Carabao Island seeks power supply offers

MANILA, Philippines — Romblon’s Carabao Island is seeking power supply offers to meet the growing demands of its residents and the emerging tourism industry.

Tablas Island Electric Cooperative Inc. (TIELCO) recently held the bidding for the competitive selection process (CSP) for a new power provider to Carabao Island.

TIELCO Special Bids and Awards Committee chairman Dennis Alag said there were six bidders declared eligible, but only five confirmed their participation for the procurement of new power supply for the Carabao Island.

The National Electrification Administration (NEA), through its Regulatory Affairs Office, is closely monitoring the conduct of said CSP.

TIELCO, which is under the supervision of NEA, is required to submit necessary documents to RAO.

Last year, TIELCO halted the CSP for San Jose following the directive of the Department of Energy (DOE) to redo the process in the selection of the new power provider for the island. 

TIELCO is the distributor of electricity in the municipalities of Odiongan, Ferrol, Looc, Sta. Fe, Alcantara, San Agustin, Calatrava, San Andres, and Sta. Maria, all on Tablas Island, and San Jose on Carabao Island.

In 2013, TIELCO entered into a 15-year power supply agreement (PSA) with Sunwest Water and Electric Co. (SUWECO) for the energy requirements of Tablas Island.

In 2015, SUWECO inaugurated the 8.8-megawatt diesel power plant, located at Bgy. Batiano in the municipality of Odiongan, to address the frequent brownouts and power shortage on the island.