The independent power distributor of Bantayan Island in northern Cebu plans to buy a generator set to address the power supply problem on the island.
Engineer Lee Rivera, general manager of the Bantayan Electric Cooperative Inc. (Banelco), said in an interview with Cebu Daily News yesterday that the proposed purchase of a 3-megawatt (MW) generator set still needs to undergo a public hearing by Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
Rivera made the announcement after Santa Fe Mayor Jose Esgana said in a press briefing yesterday that they received reports that power outages still occur on the island although in lesser frequency than in early March.
Esgana said that three-hour power interruptions sometimes occur — usually at dawn to early morning.
But Rivera said that sometimes the peak load is the cause of the power interruption.
“Usahay dili dayon kasulod ang back-up, but we assure there is no defective generator sets,” he told CDN.
The total installed power capacity for the whole island is 8.5 MW while the island’s peak load is 5.2 MW.
The 8.5 MW are supplied by two 3-MW, a 1.7-MW, a .5-MW and a .3-MW generator sets.
The power problem on the island started in February when two of its generator sets (the 3-MW and 1.7-MW generators) malfunctioned due to defective spare parts.
The previous power outages raised concerns that tourists might be discouraged from visiting the towns, which are among the top destinations in Cebu.
Mayor Esgana said some tourism establishment owners in Santa Fe have been relying on their generator sets to address the problem.
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