SUFFICIENT POWER. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center) leads the ceremonial switch-on of the new 17.8-megawatt Siquijor Power Plants at the Siquijor Electric Cooperative (PROSIELCO) Power Plant in Larena on September 5. The chief executive was accompanied by DOE Secretary Sharon Garin (left) and NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda. (RTVM screengrab)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Siquijor's power supply is now sufficient, less than two months after he pledged in his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) to resolve the island's power shortage.
Marcos led on Friday the ceremonial switch-on of the 17.8-megawatt Siquijor Power Plants at the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative (PROSIELCO) facility in Larena town.
He said the new capacity more than doubles the island's demand of around nine megawatts.
"Dito sa ating pagbalik dito sa Siquijor ay maga-garantiya na natin na ang kuryente dito ay sobra-sobra na ang supply dahil kung ang demand ng Siquijor ay nine megawatts ay 17 na ang supply natin kaya't hindi na talaga magkukulang (As we return to Siquijor, we can now guarantee that the power supply here is now even in excess because if the demand is nine megawatts, the supply is now 17, so there will no longer be shortage) Marcos said.
"Ngayon, malakas na ang loob ko na i-proclaim na buo na ang supply ng kuryente dito sa Siquijor (Now, I am proud to say that the supply here in Siquijor is sufficient)," he added.
Residents and businesses had long complained of recurring blackouts lasting up to 10 hours.
An inspection last June 11 at the Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR) found its facilities inadequate to meet the island's electricity needs.
Further investigation by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) led to the revocation of SIPCOR's Provisional Authority to Operate, placing the province at risk of power shortages and unreliable supply.
Malacañang said the government has since expedited the development of the new Siquijor Diesel Power Plants Project, which have a total installed capacity of 17.8 megawatts (MW), with a guaranteed dependable capacity of 12.25 MW and an N-1 reserve of 1.7 MW to provide sufficient backup power should one generating unit goes offline.
At least three new diesel power plants were constructed and commissioned in record time, located in the municipalities of Larena, Siquijor and Lazi.
"Hopefully, we keep on improving at kakaunti na ang blackout dito at gumanda sana ang hanapbuhay sa Siquijor—Wala pong problema sa supply ngayong kasi ang Siquijor ay nine or 10 megawatts and peak demand (Hopefully, we keep on improving and the occurrence of blackout here would lessen— There is no problem with supply now because Siquijor has nine or 10 megawatts peak demand.)," Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a separate interview.
In his SONA last July, Marcos ordered the Department of Energy (DOE), National Electrification Administration (NEA), and the ERC to address the recurring power interruptions and ensure a stable supply in Siquijor by end of 2025. (PNA)
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