INEC provides additional fuel storage capacity to Banelco

MANILA, Philippines — Vivant Energy’s subsidiary Isla Norte Energy Corp. (INEC) has installed an additional fuel storage to ensure reliable and stable power supply to the Bantayan Island in Cebu.

INEC, a partnership between Vivant Energy Corp. and Gigawatt Power Inc., has been tapped by Bantayan Electric Cooperative (BANELCO) to provide emergency power for a year to address any shortage in supply from the electric cooperative’s current power provider.

Bantayan Island, which has a population of about 80,000, is a major tourist destination with a growing trade and commerce.

It was opened for domestic tourism late last year. BANELCO is readying its distribution system to meet the surge in demand.

“The fuel tank with a capacity of 20,000 liters will provide added security and flexibility in the emergency power supply that INEC provides to BANELCO,’’   INEC vice president Cris Fernandez said.

The generators installed by INEC at the BANELCO compound produce three megawatts (MW), nearly half of Bantayan Island’s total demand.

“INEC provided the additional fuel storage at no additional cost to BANELCO and its member-consumers as part of its commitment to Bantayanons in providing secure and stable power,” Fernandez said.

INEC is constructing a 23.3-MW diesel power plant that will supply the long-term total power requirement of Bantayan Island, which will be completed in the third quarter.

It has been awarded a 15-year contract to supply BANELCO following a successful competitive selection process (CSP).

BANELCO has vowed to fully power up its franchise area by 2022 in anticipation of higher demand as Cebu’s rising island destination opened up for domestic tourism following COVID-19 lockdowns.

Meanwhile, Vivant Energy said the company and partner Gigawatt Power have a long partnership of providing reliable and stable power to Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG), off-grid and on-grid areas.