DOE: Visayas to have enough power in next 5 years with planned projects

Usec. Felix Willam Fuentebella (2nd from right) of the Departmant of Energy with (from L-R) Jose Rey C. Maleza, OIC-Director, VFO DOE7; Mylene C. Capongcol, REMB,DOE, director and Jesus T. Tamang, ERDB, DOE answers questions from media during the press conference in Parklane Hotel Cebu City. JUNJIE MENDOZA

The Visayas region would have enough power in the next five years with upcoming projects already in the pipeline, the Department of Energy said.

At least 80 percent of these proposed projects are renewable energy resources located mostly in Leyte and Negros islands, adding at least 3,797 Megawatts into the grid.

Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the Visayas grid is experiencing a yellow alert during peak hours from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This, however, is not felt mostly by consumers as the power is still enough at this level.

But, the upcoming power projects will ensure that the Visayas grid will not go below the yellow alert status.

On Thursday, a Visayas Energy Investment Forum was held in Cebu City and was attended by different stakeholders in the power industry.

The renewable energy power projects in the Visayas include the biomass and solar projects in Negros and Cebu, the geothermal power plant in Leyte, and wind power in Aklan and Iloilo.

The proposed renewable energy power plants in the Visayas will add 3,071 megawatts (MW).

On the other hand, proposed coal and oil-driven power plants will add 600 MW and 125.5 MW, respectively. Most of these are located in Cebu.

The Visayas grid needs at least 2,100 MW during peak hours. The power supply for the grid is about 2,300 MW with a reserve of only 200 MW. (Editor: Leti Boniol)