MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 14, 2014) – The Aquino government said it is carrying out several measures to address the recurring problems on power shortage in Mindanao in southern Philippines.
A government spokesman Herminio Coloma said President Benigno Aquino met with Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla and told him to pursue efforts addressing the tight power supply situation in the region.
“The President also directed the Department of Energy to coordinate with the Department of Science and Technology in monitoring the inquiry into the causes of the unexpected breakdown. According to the DOE, the tightness in the Mindanao power supply situation is expected to persist through the months of March, April, and May,” Coloma said.
He said Petilla suggested three measures to address the worsening Mindanao power shortage – first is the uninterrupted load program that is expected to generate around 93.71 megawatts and under this program, distribution utilities may tap into their generator sets, instead of availing themselves of the system power supply, and they will be compensated for the cost differential through a formula already determined by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
Another measure is the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market, which is similar to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market by which the available supply in a particular grid is made open and public so that those that need additional supply may buy directly from those who offers it.
Coloma said Aquino has issued an executive order enabling the acquisition of modular generator sets which is expected to generate 48 megawatts.
“Through the additional capacity of 265 megawatts that will be generated from these three measures, the DOE hopes to be able to bridge the gap between demand and supply, and thus, lessen the frequency and duration of the rotating brownouts,” he said.
Mindanao has been beset by power shortage almost every year and many electric cooperatives are forced to buy expensive electricity from various firms.
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