Davao coal-fired plant seen to address Mindanao power woes

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – A 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant of the Aboitiz Power Corp. in Toril district here is expected to alleviate the power problem in Mindanao. 

The power facility will be inaugurated on Friday amid a yellow alert issued by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) on the power situation in the region.

Yellow alert means power reserves are below the minimum level set by the regulator.

President Aquino is expected to lead the event, along with officials of the Department of Energy and Aboitiz Power.

The power plant is considered to be among the critical projects that will solve the perennial Mindanao power shortage. 

It will supply power to more than 20 electric cooperatives and distribution utilities all over the region.

The yellow alert was due to the disconnection from the Mindanao grid of the Agus 1 and 2 hydropower plants, whose transmission tower in Lanao del Sur was bombed on Christmas Eve.

Reports said the NGCP was having difficulty restoring the tower as the owner of the property where it was constructed refused entry to linemen.

The low water levels in Pulangi River in Bukidnon and Lake Lanao in Marawi aggravated the sitiuation.