The Negros Oriental 2 Electric Cooperative is asking the Green Core Geothermal Inc. to provide for a back-up in order to guarantee a stable power supply for its electric consumers in the event that its machines might malfunction during the contract period.{{more}}
Engr. Ephraim Taclob, Noreco 2 general manager, said the guarantee should be in writing.
This demand for a written guarantee was made barely a week before the Noreco 2 and Green Core will formalize a power sales agreement on December 15, whereby Green Core will supply half of the base load energy needs of Noreco 2 starting later this month.
The agreement is being rushed for signing two weeks before the Noreco 2 contract with the National Power Corporation would expire on December 26.
“The cooperative wants certainties on where it will get replacement power in case of a generating plant failure,” Taclob recounted to reporters in Dumaguete.
The Noreco 2 will also buy power from the Kepco coal-fired power plant in Cebu even as it obtained the commitment of Napocor that their existing contract would be extended until December 2011.
Ramon Diaz de Rivera, steam sales department manager of EDC-Green Core Geothermal Inc., on the other hand, said Green Core has committed under the agreement to secure the replacement power subject to the acceptance of the customer regarding the price.
De Rivera stressed that, with a limited capacity available right now, it is prudent for the company to contract these capacities before the year ends, otherwise the remaining 40 megawatts can easily be absorbed by Cebu.
Taclob said no electric cooperative can assure its consumers of zero brownouts or power interruption, especially when there are typhoons and poor vegetation.
He said the cooperative is doing its best, and, the board has approved the hiring of additional personnel as reaction teams in case of power outages caused by poor vegetation.* (with PNA report)