Renewable power for Bacolod expected in 2024

Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) | FILE PHOTO

BACOLOD CITY — The mayor of this city expressed the hope that power utilized within the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) franchise area would come from completely renewable sources by next year.

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez met on Sept. 5 with Roel Castro, Primelectric Holdings Inc. president and chief executive officer, whose firm has entered into a joint venture agreement (JVA) with Ceneco.

Under the agreement a joint venture, the Negros Electric and Power Corp. (NEPC) would take over power distribution within the Ceneco franchise area, which covers Bacolod, Silay, Talisay, and Bago cities, as well as Salvador Benedicto and Murcia towns in Negros Occidental.

Benitez said a majority of the Ceneco consumer-members, having voted in favor of the JVA, means “we are heading in the right direction.”

“Hopefully we can expect better services. The talking is over. Now is the doing. We want to see them deliver on their commitments,” he said after his meeting with Castro.

“I announced during my state of the city address that hopefully within 10 to 15 years power (here) will be completely renewable. We are hoping that we can achieve this status as early as next year,” he added.

Benitez said being the first area completely using renewable power would draw international investors to Bacolod.

“There are available geothermal, hydro, biomass, wind, and solar power in Negros,” he said.

Benitez also pointed out that his conditions for supporting the JVA was that they provide stable power supply at low prices, and go for renewable energy.

“They have given a plan on how to achieve that, which will be closely watched. This will be exciting times ahead,” Benitez said.

A Congress-approved franchise for NEPC to operate in the Ceneco area was expected by the proponents as early as this year or as late as the second quarter next year.

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