Aquino urgently wants emergency power to deal with power crisis

MANILA – President Benigno Aquino has told Congress to immediately grant him emergency powers so the government can contract additional generating capacity to address the looming power shortage next year.

Aquino said the sooner Congress grants him emergency powers, the earlier the government can prepare to solve the impending energy crisis.

“Ngayon, ang hinahabol natin kung ipapasa ninyo ipasa naman ninyo sana nang mas maaga kaysa mas matagal dahil iba na rin ang marami tayong oras para asikasuhin itong isyung ito,” he said.

Aquino cited the Interruptible Load Program as one of the government’s options to avert the possible shortage of 300 megawatts during summer next year.

“Maraming mga pinaplano mula sa tinatawag na Interruptible Load Program hanggang doon sa pagkukumbinsi na magbawas tayo ng paggamit ng kuryente. Pero ang hinahabol nga natin na nandiyan na lahat ‘yan bago dumating ang Marso,” he said.

Aquino has invoked Section 71 of Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 in seeking emergency powers from Congress.

But opposition lawmaker Rep. Neri Colmenares said Aquino’s request for emergency powers means “sweetheart deals, corruption, take or pay, and high electricity rates.”

“Apologists of President Aquino should not split hairs on this issue and call a spade a spade. The President asked for emergency powers just like Republic Act 7648 during Ramos’ time and the essence of this power is to ask Congress for authority to enter into negotiated contracts for additional generating capacity. But up till now the Department of Energy (DOE) has not sufficiently laid out the reason for emergency powers because as their own data show there is enough power supply,” Colmenares said.

“We are one with the Filipino people in opposing emergency powers because it would make life harder for everyone due to power rate hikes. Based on DOE figures as of 2013, the installed capacity for Luzon grid (according to DOE figures) is: 12,790MW and dependable capacity is: 11,469MW. The peak demand for the grid is just at 8,700MW plus (this happens on summer – May in particular) — and the portion of Meralco (Manila Electric Company) in that is at 6,121MW (based on 2014 figures),” he added.

Colmenares said that deducting dependable capacity from peak demand, there should have been allowance for reserves amounting to 2,700MW. This is more than the 400 MW deficit that Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla claims. Based on the DOE figures itself, even in a tight supply condition, there should be more than enough supply, according to him.

“Now, even if there would be a short fall of electricity the government can still tap state-owned power plants like the Malaya power plant and the Sucat power plant. These power plants should be immediately rehabilitated and recommissioned instead of being sold to the private sector,” Colmenares said.

“It has come to our knowledge that the bidding for the 850-megawatt Sucat Thermal Power Plant in Muntinlupa City has failed so it is government owned and should be used. In fact, even with just the Malaya power plant alone running its full dependable capacity at 610 MW, it can already offset the supposed power deficit of 400 MW being aired by Petilla. If the government is to operate the Sucat power plant as well at 850 MW, then, there would be no power crisis for at least three years,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)