Power provider in Samal Island apologizes for widespread brownouts during Holy Week

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte — The electric utility energizing the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) in Davao del Norte on Monday apologized for the power interruptions that plagued the resort island during the Holy Week break, which the power utility blamed on “unprecedented technical issues” and bad weather.

In a statement, Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Nordeco), said the sudden brownouts from Apr. 6-7 were due to technical issues, while power interruptions on Black Saturday were due to bad weather.

“Nordeco, Inc. extends its apology for the interruptions experienced in the Island Garden City of Samal on April 6 and 7, 2023, which [were] caused by unprecedented technical issues. The power demand and the available power supply for Samal are closely monitored to avoid unscheduled power interruptions for the same reasons,” the statement posted on Nordeco’s official social media page read.

Residents have complained about last week’s power interruptions as Samal welcomed tourists spending their long Lenten break there.

Nordeco has banked on completing a 14.7-kilometer submarine cable connecting the island to the power grid “as the ultimate solution” to Samal’s power woes.

Elvera Alngog, Nordeco acting general manager, vowed the submarine cable repair would be completed by April and provide stable power to the island.

The P1.1-billion undersea power cable that connects Aundanao, Igacos, to the power grid in Pantukan town, Davao de Oro, across Davao Gulf needs some P10 million for repairs.

Igacos, a city of more than 116,000 people, demands at least 9 megawatts of power.

Alngog said three generator sets are being used as backup supplies while underwater power cable repair continues.

Last month, island residents protested in front of the Nordeco office there following previous brownouts. They called for the replacement of Nordeco with a new private power provider.

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JPV/abc