The power situation could get worse before it gets better as the Negros Oriental 2 Electric Cooperative is even finding itself treading on a topic which used to be the exclusive domain of health professionals — a lifestyle change.{{more}}
Officials of the Negros Oriental 2 Electric Cooperative (Noreco 2) have called on the public to change their lifestyles — not for their health but to save on badly-needed power and to prevent brownouts.
In a press conference at the Noreco 2 building Monday, officials said the power outlook for Negros Oriental is very dismal and unless the consumers start saving energy, they will be forced to live with rotating brownouts until the electric cooperative could work out a new deal with power producers by December.
“Under the Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, we can only buy power from the National Power Corporation. But they can only do so from their undisposed generating assets,” Engr. Chito Lozano, Noreco 2 engineering department manager.
When the government-owned geothermal plants in Valencia were privatized and bought by GreenCore, the Lopez-owned company could not supply electricity to Noreco 2 because Noreco 2 had a contract with NPC. And as the NPC lost its power facility in Negros Oriental, it has to get power from Leyte in order to supply Negros Oriental consumers.
“We are banking on NPC for our supply. But our contracted demand with them is just enough for our consumers. If only NPC has power to deliver, we could supply all our needs,” Lozano said.
The limited supply of NPC has led to a deficit of 17.8 megawatts. While these shortfalls may not be felt in Dumaguete, the Noreco 2 said it was forced to implement rotating brownouts in Dumaguete last July 15 and July 20 lest the entire Visayas grid would shut down.
Another problem caused by having to import power from Leyte is low voltage, which many consumers say have damaged their home appliances.
“We cannot do anything about the low voltage because we are buying a 69KV supply from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and as we have monitored our system, during peak hours we even go below 60 KV,” said Engr. Dominador Tragico, head of Noreco 2’s distribution department.
He said that the 60 KV, once transformed for distribution in the Noreco 2 system, would likewise result in low voltage throughout the Noreco 2 coverage area, especially from 7 to 8 p.m., which are considered the peak consumption hours.
“The best thing to do,” Tragico said, “is to manage our consumption during peak hours. We may suspend the use of washing machines or air conditioners, and transfer to non-peak hours or early morning.
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