PAKTAY TAYO LUGE NEGOSYO,ANG MAHAL NA NGA SINGIL NYO SAMIN GANYAN PA MANGYARI LOOMING LUZON POWER CRISIS | DOE considering 1- to 2-hour brownouts during peak hours MANILA -- Is the Philippines’ robust domestic growth threatening power capacity in the island of Luzon? Will this put the economy’s growth trajectory in limbo since Mindanao is now experiencing power shortage? According to Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, the Department of Energy (DOE) is now considering solutions to address a worst-case scenario. Among them: a one- or two-hour brownout in the peak hours of 11 a.m., 2p.m., and 7 p.m. How to fill the energy gap Petilla said that the DOE’s projection two years ago is a domestic expansion of only 6.6 percent. He said this was the growth level his department had when it approved several major power projects a few years back. Some of these projects are now being constructed but will not be finished as early as 2015 to provide additional capacity, he said. Thus, the problem is how to fill the gap from this year until 2015, he said. In the first half this year, the domestic economy grew, as measured by gross domestic product (GPD), by 7.6 percent - higher than the 6.4 percent for the same period in 2012 and higher than the government’s full-year target of 6 to 7 percent. Operational by 2016 “There will be additional plants but they are (going to be online) at the wrong time…These will not be finished three years from now so what we’re addressing is the capacity two years from now,” he said. DOE data shows that committed projects are expected to provide 703 megawatt (MW) in Luzon this year, an additional 20 MW for 2014, and 146 MW for 2015. Indicative projects are eyed to provide 593.2 MW capacity this year, 1,069.5 MW for 2014, 1,726.6 MW for 2015, and 1,190 MW for 2016. Petilla only hopes that these indicative projects push through to ensure that Luzon’s electricity needs will be met. Reserve market during summer Among the solutions the DOE is currently considering are institutionalizing the reserve market and disallowing maintenance work for power plants during summer. Petilla explained that the proposal to put up a reserve market has been submitted before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in 2009 but this remains a proposal. He said the proposal is facing some regulatory issues but he is firm on pushing for its approval within the year. The energy chief said the program, to be implemented in coordination with the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC), will be announced soon but he did not elaborate. The reserve market is expected to initially provide at least 400-600 MW. Petilla said his department plans to simulate possible scenerios two years from now with the results to be presented to the ERC. Earlier, the DOE chief said the department is considering solutions similar to those being implemented in Mindanao, but these do not include loans to be extended to electric cooperatives for the purchase of modular generation sets or renting out gen sets. interaksyon/business/70305/loomi...ts-during-peak-hours
Posted on: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 19:36:23 +0000
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