Adequate power supply seen for Cebu in 2 years

CEBU will have sufficient power supply at least until the next two years, the Department of Energy in Central Visayas (DOE-7) said yesterday.

DOE-7 chief Antonio Labios said there is more than enough power to ensure there won’t be any major power interruptions unless caused by technical problems. “We still have power reserve enough for Cebu’s needs,” he said.

But Labios warned that unless existing power providers expand their operations or new players joint the industry, 2015 and onwards would again be considered as critical times.

Labios was at Cebu City Hall for a power stakeholders forum initiated by the Freedom from Debt Coalition.

He said the highest demand for power for Feb. 21 was estimated at 677 MW but the dependable capacity was at 696 MW leaving a reserve of 19 MW.

In his presentation, Labios said the maximum demand for the Visayas grid is now at 1,277 MW but its maximum capacity is at 1, 722 MW.  Power demand growth rate is placed at 4.55 percent annually.

If demand goes more than expected, reserve power may be used up even before 2015, he said.  Also during the forum, FDC officials said the Energy Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) law “failed to solve the long running crisis of the power industry.”

Labios said the DOE was open to support an amendment of the law.   “The EPIRA is a dynamic law.  It can adjust to the present situation,” said Labios.

But he said there are a lot of factors that result to reduction of power rates and not just the EPIRA amendment.  Labios said electricity cooperatives  have to improve their efficiency to reduce losses. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac