Gov’t spells out options to address projected power shortfall in Luzon

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MANILA — The Department of Energy will take several measures to address the potential energy shortfall in Luzon this summer, as the Palace awaits the joint resolution from Congress to address the problem.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a telephone interview on Friday that these measures are implementing the Interruptible Load Program with the help of the private sector; speeding up the completion of ongoing power projects; reducing forced outages on major plants; and carrying out several energy-saving measures.

“Masinsin ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga power-generating facilities at hinahanda na rin ‘yung sa gobyerno, ‘yung katulad ‘nung sa Malaya kahit na ito ay hindi pinaka-efficient na generating facility, para mapunan ang tinatawag na forced outages, kung hindi man mabawasan ang mga ito,” he said.

The longer the Executive branch waits for the joint resolution, the shorter the timeframe to do the necessary preparations, Coloma said.

He reiterated the President’s earlier pronouncement that the most expensive power is no power.

“Pero katulad ng aking binanggit, habang naghihintay pa ay isinasagawa na ang pagbibigay atensyon doon sa apat na mga option,” he said.