Gov’t OKs plan to ease power crisis in Vis-Min

Agency urges enactment of energy conservation law

MANILA, Philippines–The Energy Regulatory Commission has agreed to implement a so-called interruptible load program as a stop-gap measure to alleviate the current power crisis in Visayas and Mindanao.

Covered by the program are consumers—particularly the big industrial and commercial customers—who have the ability to produce their own electricity through generating sets.

Participating customers will allow distribution utilities to either cut off or reduce the electricity being supplied to them, particularly during peak periods of the day or during emergency conditions. During these hours, “de-loaded” customers are expected to use their gensets.

In turn, the qualified customers will be compensated since, by generating their own electricity, they may incur higher costs for running their standby generating sets or plants than when their power is supplied by distribution utilities.

“The ERC urges the distribution utilities and qualified consumers to participate in the program and help in augmenting the power supply in their respective areas. The implementation of an ILP will surely help to effectively alleviate the power supply condition in these areas while awaiting for additional capacities to become available,” said ERC chair Zenaida G. Cruz-Ducut.

The commission explained that this program was seen to be a “proactive stop-gap measure” since it would help free up capacities in those areas for the use of those customers (like households and small commercial establishments) who could not generate their own electricity.

As of yesterday, both Visayas and Mindanao recorded power supply deficits of 124 megawatts and 580 MW, respectively.

As the country reels from power supply shortages, the Department of Energy is also pressing for the passage of the Energy Conservation Law that will mandate a stricter implementation of energy efficiency policies.

Documents from the DOE showed that with the passage of such law, the country could realize a 10-percent energy savings on the total annual energy demand of all economic sectors between 2010 and 2030.

For instance, the DOE expects to defer some 212 megawatts (MW) in capacity demand this year with the passage of the Energy Conservation Law, 266 MW in 2015, 333 MW in 2020, 417 MW in 2025 and 522 MW in 2030.

This will prove to be beneficial since there is a lack of power projects that could adequately meet the power requirements of the country between now and 2030.

The DOE also expects reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 6.2 million tons this year alone.

According to the DOE, the law would call for the development of energy labeling for new models of passenger cars and light-duty vehicles; efficiency guidelines for residential buildings; energy benchmark for commercial/government buildings and industrial facilities; Energy Management Standard for industrial establishments, and development/promotion of the Green Building Technology.

It added that a Certification Program for energy managers/auditors will likewise be put in place. –Amy R. Remo, Philippine Daily Inquirer