Visayas to have enough power in next five years

CEBU CITY — The Visayas will have enough power for the next five years with upcoming projects already in the pipeline, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).

At least 80 percent of these projects are renewable energy resources located mostly in Leyte and Negros islands. They are expected to add at least 3,797 megawatts into the Visayas grid.

At present, the grid is on yellow alert during peak hours from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said. But this is not felt mostly by consumers as power supply is still enough at this level, he said.

He said the projects would ensure that the Visayas grid would not go below the yellow alert status.

Renewable energy

The renewable energy 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 power plants in Visayas will add 3,071 MW. On the other hand, the 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.

Oil explorations

The DOE said oil explorations had been started by a private firm, Forum Exploration, in the seas surrounding northern Cebu and within Cebu Island.

The areas covered by the exploration include Libertad in Bogo City and Maya in Daanbantayan town.

If successful, this will be the second site for oil in Cebu following the successful drilling in the southern Alegria town that was inaugurated by President Duterte last year.

According to Jesus Tamang, Energy Resource Development Bureau (ERDB) director, Bogo City has been found to have natural gas that has been used for seven years only. Scientists believed that there could be more reserves hidden in northern Cebu.

The ERDB also announced the start of expansion of the Alegria oil wells to tap the natural gas reserves which were also found alongside the oil production.

It is believed that the natural gas reserve in Alegria totals 9.42 billion cubic feet. Three of the proposed nine wells in the town have already been tapped for commercial oil production.