DOE assures of stable power supply in VisayasBut addt’l power needed by 2015 to meet growing demand
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, November 20 (PIA) -- Residents in the Visayas are assured of stable power supply for now as the Department of Energy (DOE) - Visayas Field Office reported that there is 429 MW actual power reserve.
Engr. Rey Maleza, supervisor of the Energy Industrial Management Division of the DOE-Visayas, said peak demand for power in Regions 6,7 and 8 comprising is 1,489 MW. “The peak demand was recorded last August 16 while the minimum demand is 1,044 MW which was recorded in April 6,” said Maleza.
“The maximum power capacity in the Visayas is 1,869 MW so we have an additional power reserve of 400MW,” assured Maleza.
Maleza, one of the resource speakers during the recent Energy Lecture 101 Series on Renewable Energy and Electric Power Industry in Cebu City, presented the ‘Power Situation in the Visayas.’
But the DOE official said 150MW power capacity is needed by 2015 in the Visayas with the surging investments within the region and especially with the plan to put up a Mega World by the Ayala Business Group in Iloilo City.
“In fact, a 50MW new capacity is needed starting 2016 to meet the (increasing) demand and required (power) reserve,” added Maleza.
Maleza said a total additional capacity of 1,700MW is needed by 2030.
The additional power capacity starting in the next few years is based on the 4.52 percent demand rate with an average growth rate of 4.55 percent, DOE-Visayas reported.
But in case there is a change in the average demand rate, then there will also be changes in the projected demand for power capacity, the DOE official claimed.
“We are trying to coordinate with the respective development councils in the Visayas and is closely coordinating with the respective utilities and the local government units within the region to anticipate and address any demand for power in the near future,” said Maleza.
Maleza also said local government units (LGUs) should be in constant coordination with the utilities to determine the current power supply and the growing demand because they are the ones that issue business permit to investors.
Power needs will rise with the entry of investments. With more investments pouring in, then the demand for power certainly increases, revealed Maleza as he admitted that at present, most investments in the power industry is geared towards coal-fired power plants.
The activity was undertaken by the DOE-Visayas in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency 7 aimed at strengthening public education, appreciation and knowledge on energy (SPEAK-Energy). (PIA-7)