Power deficiency threatens 5 major Mindanao cities

MANILA, Philippines - Five major cities in Mindanao could be deprived of electricity if the power deficiency in the region persists, a top official of Aboitiz Power said on Wednesday.

“Over the years, the gap between demand and supply is worsening. By 2014, the gap is expected to reach 484 megawatts. What is the significance of this 484MW? It means, you are depriving power supply to five major cities in Mindanao. That’s how bad the power situation is,” Bobby Orig,  first vice president for Mindanao Affairs of the Aboitiz Power said.

Orig is referring to cities that include Davao, Butuan, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga.

“Since 2009, there are no new power plants being constructed. The hydro-power plants in Mindanao are aging and their capacities decline during summer months,” Wilfredo Rodolfo, Aboitiz Power branding and communications manager for Mindanao said, adding that current efforts are not enough to fill the gap.

Orig said the power outages in the region will continue to worsen until next year unless big load power stations like coal plants are constructed.

By early 2014, the Tudaya hydropower project in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, could contribute to the energy needs of Mindanao by at least 14MW, while by 2015, the coal-fired power generation facility of Therma South, Inc. (TSI) being constructed in Toril district, Davao City will help add to the power supply in Mindanao by at least 300MW.