Davao Light cites measures to protect supply
by RG Alama
Davao City (4 March) -- Davao Light and Power Company cited the various measures it has undertaken to protect its power supply amidst the power crisis aggravated by the El Niņo phenomenon.
Manuel Orig, executive vice-president of DLPC bared three measures it took amidst the power crisis. One of which was contracting the maximum power the National Power Corporation can supply for a duration of 10 years. The contract was signed in 2006.
He said DLPC saw the situation as early as 2004, when demand was growing at 5% and there were no new investments in power generation plants.
Another measure was contracting Hedcor to supply the remaining balance of power it needs. The supply is taken from the hydropower plants in Sibulan and. Another measure was upgraded maintenance of the diesel-fired Bajada Power Plant, which Orig says was maintained in tip-top condition.
Current demand for power in the DLPC franchise area is about 255 megawatts; the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has load curtailment or deficiency of 96 mw. This deficiency is filled in by the Bajada power plant and the initial generating power coming from the Sibulan hydro plant. According to Orig, other places outside of the DLPC franchise area are experiencing five to 10 hour rotational brownouts whereas DLPC current capacity mitigates brownouts to a duration of only an hour.
DLPC covers the areas of Davao City, Panabo, Carmen and Santo Tomas in Davao del Norte.
Meanwhile the utility firm is encouraging its consumers to lessen the use of power from peak hours which is at 10 a.m. am to 12 noon and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. as a way of conserving energy. (PIA XI) [top]
