ARROYO SAYS: Naga coal plants to answer Cebu's power supply problem

CEBU, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is optimistic that with the 220-megawatt coal-fired power plants in Naga City that are expected to be operational next year, will answer the power supply problem of Cebu.

 Arroyo, who was in Cebu yesterday for some important engagements, said that the provincial government is nevertheless doing its best in addressing the problem through the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) in coordination with the power suppliers.

The ILP has been implemented by VECO since April of 2009 and has been of big help in addressing the power supply problem.

 Under this program, big power users under VECO’s franchise area, especially industrial customers, are requested to run their own generator sets to supply their power needs instead of getting power from VECO. Power, which would have been distributed to these customers, is then routed to other users, especially the households.

This as series of brownouts occurred in different parts of Mandaue and Cebu cities yesterday caused by power shortage as some power plants were not operating in its full capacity.

The Visayas grid yesterday experienced a shortfall of 170 MW during peak hours due to generation deficiency.

With this, VECO continues to encourage all its customers to undertake energy conservation measures at home or in the offices.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines earlier said that the Visayas areas experienced a deficit with the shutdown of the three power plants in the grid.

These power plants are the 50-MW Cebu Thermal 1 Plant and the 50-MW gas turbines of Salcon Power both in Naga City in Cebu and the 120-MW Mahanagdong Geothermal Power Plant in Leyte.

The first two plants are under preventive maintenance shutdown to make way for maintenance works or repairs, which will improve power facilities and services.

The Unit 2 of Mahanagdong is expected to be back online on February 8 while the Unit 1 is expected to be back on the grid on February 16.

Cebu Thermal 1 Plant, on the other hand, will be available starting February 23. —Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/WAB    (FREEMAN NEWS)