Iloilo: The Regional Development Council (RDC) in Western Visayas is seeking a presidential declaration of a 'state of power emergency' in the region to fast-track projects and other measures addressing the Visayas' worsening power situation. Lawyer Jobert Pe±aflorida, co-chair of the RDC-6, said Tuesday the council is finalizing an urgent resolution asking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare the emergency.
According to Philippines News Agency, such a declaration would help expedite corrective measures and new power projects, including the processing of permits, Pe±aflorida said. The council also plans to ask the development councils of Central and Eastern Visayas and the Negros Island Region to consider joining the call.
A second proposed resolution seeks the exploration of an electricity interconnection between the Visayas and Luzon to provide additional power supply to the region. "We want to connect Visayas to Luzon in terms of power supply. This will be very technical; it will not be immediate," Pe±aflorida said. He added that the interconnection would be a long-term solution as the region could continue facing power challenges over the next three to five years.
The proposed resolutions followed a presentation by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin during the RDC-6 meeting Monday on the power situation in the Visayas. Based on Department of Energy (DOE) data presented to the council, Luzon has more than 3,000 megawatts of excess power, with available supply at 14,262 MW against a peak demand of 10,780 MW. The Visayas, meanwhile, faces a 415-MW supply deficit, contributing to frequent yellow and red alerts and power interruptions across the region.
Western Visayas is particularly vulnerable because it is at the tail end of the distribution grid, Pe±aflorida said. The Therma Visayas plants in Cebu are scheduled to return to service on Sept. 16 and 17, adding a combined 300 MW, while the Panay Energy Development Corp. plant in Iloilo is expected to resume operations Oct. 3, adding another 150 MW.
Garin has asked the RDC to help monitor the rehabilitation of the facilities and ensure the projects remain on schedule, Pe±aflorida said. The DOE is also set to install ancillary services, including battery energy storage systems, to store excess generated power during off-peak periods. The planned capacity is 253 MW, including 50 MW to be installed in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.
