By Perla Lena
ILOILO CITY – The local government is convening energy stakeholders for a hybrid meeting on Thursday to address the ongoing power issues affecting Panay Island, including Iloilo City.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas stated in an interview on Wednesday that the primary solution lies in additional power generation within the island. He emphasized the importance of exploring various options such as solar, hydro, natural gas, or even coal if necessary.
Treñas mentioned that More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) has proposed to lease the diesel plant of Panay Power Corporation (PPC), which has a capacity of around 60 megawatts, to supplement power supply during shortages.
They are still negotiating. Once MORE leases it, that is one of the palliatives, a shorter solution. The medium-term solution is the Cebu Negros Panay grid that will be presented by DOE tomorrow, and the long-term is we need an additional generator for Panay,” he added.
Treñas emphasized that Iloilo City is one of the fastest-growing local government units in Western Visayas.
The business process outsourcing firms and developments happening in the city, he said, require additional consumption.
“The power situation is going to affect these developments and would dampen investor interest in the region,” the mayor added.
He admitted, though, that the city is no longer capable of hosting additional power generators, so they have to establish outside of the metro. (PNA)
