Scheduled brownouts in Mindanao may last until December

Scheduled brownouts may still be felt until December in Mindanao, the month when water levels in its dams — which generates — are expected to reach normal levels, a presidential adviser for Mindanao affairs said. Although rains have begun to arrive in the country’s second-largest island, precipitation has been insufficient to raise water levels in dams and lakes that help generate electricity, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) chairman Jesus Dureza said. "We were told that the level of water in the Lake Lanao has not retuned yet to normal levels," he said. "This is the reason why brownouts may still take place but it won’t be as bad in some areas." But instead of lasting 11 hours long, these brownouts may only range anywhere from three to five hours daily, especially in areas such as Cagayan de Oro, one of the bustling cities in Mindanao. The government recently decided to release water supplies in its dams from May 9 to 11. While the move prevented a brownout from taking place during the elections, it has aggravated water supply levels in its dams, Dureza said. Now, these dams have to recover water until September, prompting the island to face the reality of scheduled brownouts, Dureza added. Currently, private businesses have bought diesel-powered generating sets to cover the electricity shortfall in the island. While the move is expected to provide temporary relief from brownouts, rates are also higher, Dureza said, adding that it was up to the Energy Regulatory Board (ERC) to set rates. "Ee may have to develop more hydro power plants, but the reality is we just have to rely on non-hydro on a long term and this will mean higher prices for Mindanao," he added. The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative Inc. (Zamcelco) has already submitted its funding request to state-led Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines so that it can buy more generators and help increase power supplies. There are also plans to put up more power plants in Mindanao, Dureza said. However, it may take about four years before supply can meet demand. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV