Energy chief denies Mindanao power crisis artificial

MANILA—Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras told reporters here Thursday that the electricity problem in Mindanao was not artificial and it encompasses technical, legal, social and economic issues.

While there are some possible solutions to address capacity deficiency and other energy issues, Almendras said there are also existing laws and guidelines that might delay their implementation.

Froilan Tanpinco, National Power Corp. president, said the outlook continues to be grim as far as generation capacity of the hydropower plants in Lanao and Bukidnon is concerned.

Except for December, which has a projected excess in generation capacity by 24 megawatts, he said electricity will continue to be scant throughout the year.

For example, in May, Mindanao will experience a deficiency of 88 megawatts (mw); 47 mw in June; 25 mw in July; 59 mw in August; 55 mw in September; 77 mw in October and 33 mw in November.

The month-to-month generation capacity depends on the demand forecast by the NGCP, which fulfills the power demand of utilities, he said.

Tanpinco said Napocor has a solution to increase the capacity of Mindanao’s hydropower plants but added he did not want to preempt “whatever proposal the stakeholders might suggest at the summit.”