MBCCI had a very interactive meeting with President Arnel Lapore of CENECO last April 10, 2014 at the Pavillon Hotel, Bacolod City.
The highlights of the meeting are:
Power Demand and Supply
CENECO will provide MBCCI of their area’s:
- Power demand for the remaining months of the year;
- Sources of supply (bilateral contracts and others);
- Possible supply sources to cover unplanned outages of power suppliers or expected spike in electricity demand during summer months.
- And, in case of supply shortage, the remedial measures of CENECO.
- And what to expect this summer months.
Interruptible Load Program of the DOE
We have suggested to CENECO to test-implement this program so that when the time comes that we have to use it, to avoid rotating “brown-outs”, we’re ready to implement it. SM agreed to participate in the program and willing to sit-down with CENECO to draw-up the mechanics.
Cebu has used it successfully and Metro Manila will soon test-implement it.
Interim (Provisional or Temporary) Power Supply
We have suggested to CENECO to identify possible power sources and the possibility of entering into Interim Power Supply Agreements to avoid purchasing power from expensive sources, like the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), and also to lessen rotating brown-outs during the coming summer months or during unplanned shutdowns of power suppliers.
P 630 million- System Rehabilitation Program
CENECO is requesting approval from Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for its P 630 million System Rehabilitation Program.
This program will improve the delivery system of CENECO and reduce substantially the frequent “tripped-off” or “brown-out” of the system.
This capital expenditures, according to CENECO, will not result to increase in power rates as the expenditures will be funded by the “Reinvestment Fund for Sustainable Capital Expenditures” which is being funded by us through an added charge in our monthly billing.
MBCCI and other members of the Business Sector will assist CENECO secure approval from ERC.
Bidding of Power Supply
We have suggested to CENECO to bid their future power needs. This mode of purchase will result to better terms for CENECO as negotiations will be transparent and will translate to lower power rates to consumers.
