After the 21-hr blackout last Sunday, Gov. Edgar Chatto convened the Bohol Energy Development Advisory Group (BEDAG) on the next steps in ensuring quality, reliable, and affordable power for Bohol.

The group hashed out investor list and power source to discuss viability and distinguish investments that can address baseload and peakload demand for Bohol.

As for policy on which investment Bohol will accept, this is subject to qualification in terms of cost both for providers and consumers with special consideration on environmental factor.

The BEDAG working group chaired by Engr. Loy Acierto is carefully assessing the groups interested to embark on a land based power supply in Bohol
The BEDAG is composed of representatives from the power sector as well as the planning, legal office and SP chair on utilities.

SP TO LOOK

ON POWER

As power interruptions continue to hound Bohol, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on Monday announced that it will be evaluating progress in the province’s move to establish a land-based power source.

SP members said that officials of the Bohol Energy Development Advisory Group (BEDAG) will be invited to report on developments regarding investors showing interest in implementing energy projects.

The SP would also require an assessment on potential power investors and locations which will be used as site for a facility that would serve as an inland electricity source.

In October, Provincial Administrator Ae Damalerio said that three big power companies are mulling to build a land-based power supply in Bohol.

He noted that representatives of the firms have already started to conduct a feasibility study on the project and a survey at the possible site of the power plant

Clamor for a sufficient and stable power source erupted anew as Bohol experienced a more than 20-hour blackout starting Saturday at 4 a.m. until shortly past midnight the next day.

Power was supposed to resume the same day the outage started but the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) kept on revising its power resumption advisory.

NGCP officials attributed the delay in power resumption to stability tests conducted at the Ormoc-Maasin 138-kilovolt (KV) lines. (Rey Tutas)