DAVAO CITY, July 11 (PNA) – The Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Power Company is optimistic it will meet the future demand for power supply with the entry of many locators and investments, including the multi-billion project Megaworld and other prospective investors within its franchise area.
Ross Luga, AVP Communications and Branding of Davao Light, said the power firm is expecting eight (8) projects to rise this year with huge usage for power namely: Felcris Hotels and Resorts, Mighty Steel Plant, Gaisano Grand Calinan, Gaisano Grand Tibungco, Holy Cross College, Ateneo de Davao University’s expansion, Vifel Cold Storage and Kuroikebo Food Inc.
By 2015, it also sees the rise of NCCC Buhangin, Abreeza Residences, JTC Tower and the Abreeza Hotel.
Luga added that they are also preparing for the increase in the demand for power once Megaworld comes in. The property giant Megaworld is expected to have huge demand for power when it starts or complete its Php15-billion modern township within an 11-hectare property in the next five years.
The township, which will rise in what used to be the Lanang Golf and Country Club, will include residential and commercial condominiums, business process outsourcing (BPO) centers, and food and beverage establishments, all in high-rise structures.
Even the city government expects the rise of development projects in the city. City Administrator Melchor Quitain said the city is enjoying a construction boom recently.
“Yes, we are preparing for the increase in the demand for power due to new investors or locators. We are not preparing only for Megaworld but for all prospective investors in our franchise area,” Luga said.
Davao Light holds the franchise area of the entire Davao and Panabo cities, municipalities of Carmen, Dujali and Sto. Tomas.
Currently, Davao Light has a total power supply allocation of 363.50 megawatts (MW) from the various sources namely: the National Power Corporation (NPC) with 280MW, Hedcor Sibulan with 49.50MW, Hedcor Talomo with four (4)MW and Therma Marine, Inc. with 30MW.
The total supply demand in the city ranges between 300 to 330MW. In February, Luga said the demand was recorded at 303MW. The peak demand reached 324MW as of May.
At present, Luga said Davao Light is able to get enough power from its energy suppliers to distribute to its 323,463 customers (as of May 2014) within its franchise.
“We have not received of any power supply shortage that will entail the need to implement rotating power interruptions,” he said.
But he pointed out that supply will continue to be tight in Mindanao due to lack of any reserve capacity. (PNA)