Veco targets 5% growth this year

CEBU, Philippines - The Visayan Electric Company targets to hit at least five percent growth this year as it continues to invest in the flexibility and reliability of its distribution network.

The Aboitiz-led electric distribution company registered a 2.3 percent growth in its energy sales as of October of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013.

"Our energy sales growth in 2014 has been quite lackluster and well below our general expectations for the year as we had planned in late 2013. This, however, is generalized for all the utilities across the country and may indicate some kind of slowdown in economic activity. This has been corroborated by recent pronouncements by NEDA regarding GDP growth," said VECO reputation management department head Theresa G. Sederiosa.

As of October 2014, number of connections increased by 4% to nearly 379,000.

"We have installed various 69/23 kilovolt power transformers as well as electrical equipment, such as load break switches and reclosers, that allow remote operations," she said.

The company will also take its Cebu Unplugged program further on its journey by continuing to spouse solar PV rooftop installation and encouraging optimal energy.

"We will rely on technology to drive efficiencies at our full service centers and provide our customers with self-help screens and more accessible mobile applications. For our network operations, we are using Google maps to enhance our cartography," Sederiosa added.

VECO has close to 400 thousand electric consumers in its franchise area covering from San Fernando in the Southern part of Cebu, and up to Lilo-an in the northern part of the Metro.—  Ehda M. Dagooc (FREEMAN)