MANILA, Philippines – The daily rotating brownouts in Panay Island may soon be a thing of the past with the opening of a $104-million coal-fired power plant in Iloilo City, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Friday. The President said the 264-megawatt power plant of the Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) will augment the reliable and inexpensive power to the city and the Visayas power grid Aquino, with former Senator Mar Roxas, and other government officials in tow, went to La Paz, Iloilo City for the switch-on ceremony of the coal plant, which has been on test operations since September , 2010.
“There was a time when Panayanons had their lives constantly disturbed by rotating daily brownouts. The opening of the 164 Megawatt coal-fired power plant of the PEDC ensures: that time is over. This heralds a new era of electric generation in Panay as it is deemed to turn what was once a mark of inefficiency to a sign of industry; what was once darkness into light,” he said.
“Moreover, putting up this power plant in Iloilo City is also a great boost to the entire Visayas grid, providing reliable, secure, and reasonably-priced electricity,” he said.
The President was likewise upbeat that the new energy security in Panay Island will boost investments and tourism, which will raise the economic stature of the localities. Buoyed by energy security in the region, Aquino revealed the imminent opening of 23 new hotels in the Visayas that will provide nearly 1,200 additional rooms.
Aquino also expressed his gratitude to PEDC for investing in a new coal-fired power plant, saying it shows not just confidence in the country but also support for government initiatives to push for more energy sources.
With the new power plant in Iloilo in place, the President said the next step is to expand the projected power requirements in the whole Visayas grid with new and appropriate energy technologies.
“We should also start exploring and harnessing the potential of renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power, among others that are abundant in your area,” he said.
The government has been struggling to address the power shortfall in the Visayas grid, which is largely dependent on geothermal energy for years.
Panay Island, located at the lower part of the grid, is reportedly the most expensive power cost and lowest supply in the country due to lack of indigenous power supply sources.
Genalyn Kabiling, Manila Bulletin
