Contrary to past expectations, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras on Monday said that Luzon will begin experiencing energy shortages as early as next year.
“The truth is next year we will already have a shortage. We will be short by our estimates, by at least 300 megawatts (MW) next year,” Almendras said at the Senate hearing on the 2011 Department of Energy (DOE) budget.
He said 300 MW is still within the allowable energy shortage but some power players have warned that the energy shortage may actually be 100 to 200 MW more.
“That is true if the predicted La Niña [weather phenomenon] will not bring in the water that the hydros will need,” the energy chief said.
The Energy Department expects a peak demand of 7,900 MW for next year, Almendras said, noting that in the summer of 2010 the energy demand peaked at 7,600 MW.
To address the problem, Almendras said the department is looking at privatizing some government-owned power plants so that the new owners can restore the facilities’ original installed capacity.
“It is the shortest, fastest solution to all those companies that have already bought the power plants from us to rehabilitate as fast as they can,” he said.
Almendras also said the Energy Department plans to draw power from Visayas to Luzon using the new coal-fired plants in Cebu and Panay.
The department also plans to issue an order enabling the DOE to harness undispatched hydro power and those from the diesel barges in Mindanao to boost the supply for Luzon.
By the end of 2011, the department aims to close a generation project in Mindanao to address the energy requirements of 2015 and 2016, Almendras said.
A P1.37-billion budget was allotted for the Energy Department next year. — JE/VS, GMANews.TV
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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