The flow of information between BCCI and AKELCO, a long standing request of the chamber, has improved a lot: regular updates with the BCCI on the island’s electric power situation are now received and forwarded to the members. End of July, Akelco requested a meeting with BCCI members, which was quite interesting, but unfortunately with only a handful of members attending. Read the report filed by Agnes B. Acero, BCCI office secretary.
AKELCO representatives, headed by AKELCO OIC Wilfredo Ortiz.and Engr. Rogen Delos Reyes presented the Power Development Map for Aklan and various Voltage profiles for Boracay without the back-up power provided by the 13.5 MW power plant in Nabas. The presentation showed how little voltage would be left for the island at the back-end of the Panay power grid.
Below some selected transcripts of the dialogue:
BCCI: What is the main reason why Boracay has no stable power supply even after the successful repair of the two damaged submarine cables?
AKELCO: Even though the submarine cable is already repaired, Boracay is still experiencing these frequent brownouts and low voltages because of the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) filed at the Regional Trial Court in Kalibo. The complainants seek the annulment of the agreement between AKELCO & Mirant (Global Power). Due to this TRO, AKELCO was forced to suspend buying power from Mirant upon demand of the Regional Court. So, for a while we only had the electricity provided by NPC, which resulted in low voltage and frequent brown outs here at the back-end of our grid. In the meantime we went to the Court of Appeals in Cebu and they granted us the use of the power plant for 60 days. This was on July 26. After that we will have a hearing at the Cebu Court of Appeals to solve this case. You will notice that since then the stability of the electricity has improved.
Can the sub-station being constructed in Tambisaan solve the power problem we are experiencing right now? Can it boost power in the island?
The sub-station was constructed to augment power supply in the island. The sub-station’s function is to transform high voltage power supplied by NPC and Mirant into consumable power suitable for household or commercial use. But it cannot boost power or generate power as its main function is that of a huge transformer. What the sub-station also does is to stabilize the distribution of required voltage to the island.
What is currently the status of Tambisaan sub-station?
The construction of the sub-station in Tambisaan was put on hold for sometime due to a complaint filed by a family claiming 100 sqm of the 1,500 sqm property for the sub-station. But this has been settled already with Transco agreeing to purchase the 100 sqm under claim, depending on the solution of the court case. Timetable for the whole construction is 2 ½ months according to the contractor, which will include civil works, construction, and installations.
What would be the worst case scenario, in case there is no sub-station and no power supply from the power plant in Nabas?
Everything depends on the decision of the Court of appeals. The worst case scenario is electricity with low to very low voltage, poor quality and sub standard power. Plus many brownouts and a very complicated life for establishments and residents on the island, regarding electricity supply. The island will have to continue to rely on poor power supply of the NPC and standard power requirements will not be met. With low supply, here will be power shortages all over the province and AKELCO will have to distribute whatever little power is left
