A total of 70 percent of the power sources of Negros Occidental come from conventional sources.
This was revealed yesterday during a hearing of the Committee on Energy of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental chaired by Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko (3rd district).
Ko said that 70 percent of the power needs of each of the three power cooperatives in the province, the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO), Negros Occidental Electrical (NOCECO) and the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (NONECO), are sourced from “conventional sources or coal.”
They source their power from power plants in Cebu and Iloilo, he said, adding that the rest are sourced from geothermal and the wholesale electricity spot market (WESM).
The hearing is in relation to the request of Governor Alfredo Marañon that the SP pass an ordinance declaring the province as “coal free.”
Marañon had earlier aired his stand that he is against the putting up of a coal fired power plant in Negros Occ.
However, Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he is “open to the idea.”
Data from the Department of Energy website showed that SMC Global Power Corp., is included in the list of companies issued with clearance for the conduct of a grid impact study (GIS) as of August 2018.
It stated that the power firm proposes to build a 300-MW CFB (circulating fluidized bed) coal-fired power plant in San Carlos City.
The four dioceses in the island has expressed opposition to the project.
Ko also said that the power cooperatives “cannot rely solely on solar power because it is fluctuating.”
“They are also concerned with the price which is based on how much they bought it and not on where the power is sourced,” he added.
Currently, the province consumes 300 megawatts of power, he said.
As of now, Ko said the committee has not made a position yet.
“We will still hold public hearings inviting representatives from the Department of Energy, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, the church and those groups opposing the coal fired plant,” he said.
“We have not set a deadline,” he also said.
“After we hear all the stakeholders we can make a stand on the request of the governor,” Ko said.
CADIZ COAL FIRED POWER PLANT
In 2012, Gov. Marañon favored the construction of a coal-fired power plant in Cadiz City.
Marañon at that time, despite the opposition of pro-environmentalists and cause-oriented groups, pushed for the plant in Cadiz, saying it will ensure ample power supply amidst rapid increases in power demands.
The SP members then also favored the establishment of the coal-fired power plant in Cadiz, which was backed by the local government unit of the city.
The construction got stalled reportedly due to financial issues involving its investors.* (NDB)