• CHERYL G. CRUZ
New power plants were installed in the towns of Lazi and Larena in Siquijor Aug. 29 to address the electricity requirements of the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative Inc. (Prosielco), with the order to shut down the operation of Siquijor Island Power Corporation (Sipcor), the National Electrification Administration (NEA) said.
Linemen from Prosielco, Cebu I and III Electric Cooperative Inc. (Cebeco 1 and 3) laid the groundwork and installed the facilities as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordered the closure of Sipcor, for its failure to improve operations, the NEA said in a post.
NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda, who has been in Siquijor since Monday to supervise the activities per the directive of Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin, oversaw the installation of the new power plants.
“This is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to immediately arrest the widespread blackouts in the island province due to recurring power plant shutdowns of Sipcor and prevent another crippling energy crisis,” the NEA said.
The ERC served the order against Sipcor yesterday afternoon, which revoked its Provisional Authority to Operate (PAO) and ordered the company to cease and desist from operating its power plants as the new provider, Total Power, will take over the generation of power supply.
The ERC cited Sipcor’s numerous violations, such as the failure to secure a Certificate of Compliance (COC) prior to the operation of its gensets, including the rental gensets, prolonged unit outages due to poor maintenance planning and delayed parts replacement, non-compliance with reportorial requirements, and failing to comply with its obligations under its power supply agreements (PSAs) with the Prosielco, the province’s distribution utility.
ERC chairperson and CEO, Atty. Francis Saturnino Juan, served the order, accompanied by DOE undersecretary Mario Marasigan and Almeda.
Following the shutdown of Sipcor’s power plants, the province’s electricity needs are now being met under an Emergency PSA, facilitated by NEA pursuant to the DOE directive, the ERC said in a statement.
“New generation facilities were rapidly constructed, tested, and commissioned in the municipalities of Larena, Lazi, and Candanay. These newly completed facilities are now ready for commercial operations and are capable of supplying approximately 15.75 megawatts (MW) of electricity, well above Siquijor’s peak energy demand of 9.5MW,” it added. “This swift and coordinated response ensures reliable and sustainable power for the province and demonstrates the government’s commitment to energy security and public service.”
The ERC noted that Marcos, in his State of the Nation Address last month, made special mention of the recent power crisis hounding Siquijor, citing widespread brownouts due to broken down power generation units and the lack of permits to operate them.
Marcos had also directed the DOE, NEA, and ERC to restore normal electricity service in the province before the end of this year. | CGC
