El Niño, lack of govt support blamed for Mindanao energy crisis

El Niño and the lack of government support were among the reasons cited for the looming power crisis in Mindanao, experts told the Philippines’ joint congressional power commission (JCPC) on Monday. Power plants in Mindanao are highly dependent on water, which is currently scarce since the country is suffering from El Niño’s effects, Jose Ibazeta, president of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (Psalm), said during the hearing. In the meantime, Ernesto Patangco, president of the Philippine Independent Power Producers Association (Pippa), said that many investors are “willing to build power plants and put up 180 generators." However, they have been unable to secure endorsement of local government units, he said. “Many in the private sector are willing to invest in the energy sector…but we need government endorsement," he said. But Makati Representative Teodoro Locsin questioned Patangco’s assertion. "It seems the problem is not just El Niño but El Governador...Why? Are they asking something under the table," the lawmaker asked. Patangco failed to answer the question. But at the same time, Patangco and Jesus Alcordo, president of the Global Business Power Corporation, assured that power supply in Mindanao would be sufficient during the elections. However, both failed to provide a deadline regarding the end of rotating blackouts. Among the proposals presented before the bicameral power commission were the use of power barges and the use of coal to run the power plants. "The only viable solution so far that have been presented has been the power barge solution," said Senator Gregorio Honasan II, co-chairman of the JCPC. “We are getting a better view of the availability and capacity of power barges available, including the power barges used in Beijing Olympics now in Australia, how to get access to them," Power supply, demand situation in Mindanao The hearing failed to “adequately answer the power supply demand situation…despite the urgency of the situation," Honasan said Lack of viable solutions was highlighted with the absence of Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes and buck-passing among government agencies involved in solving the problem. The Department of Energy said that it is the National Power Corporation (Napocor) – the Philippines’ largest energy producer – which should address the problem. For its part, Napocor passed the buck on to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines – which is in charge of transmitting electricity from power plant to utilities such as Meralco. Similarly, the NGCP refused to take responsibility for the problem. Honasan said Reyes talked to him on Sunday, asking to be excused in the hearing since he will be attending an emergency meeting in the Visayas. But Honasan said the energy secretary should have sent a representative. Pampanga Rep Juan Miguel Arroyo said Reyes also did not attend the hearing of the House of Representatives on the power crisis last week. During the press conference held after the hearing, Honasan said that the body has no information “to warrant" a move that would give President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo emergency powers to address the looming power crisis. “We just have to be prudent about this," he said. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV