Philippines: DOE targets June opening for Mindanao WESM

Philippines: DOE targets June opening for Mindanao WESM

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) IS TARGETING A JUNE LAUNCH FOR MINDANAO'S
WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY SPOT MARKET (WESM), WITH OVER 1,000 MEGAWATTS (MW) OF
POWER SET TO ENTER THE GRID.

"The establishment of the WESM will serve as the mechanism to efficiently
tap the excess capacities in the area to avoid rotating brownouts and ensure
24-hours continuous electricity service," DOE said in a report by The
Standard.

Earlier, DOE said that 782 MW was added to the Mindanao grid in 2016. This
year, an additional capacity of 1,208 MW is expected.

But despite the additional capacity, power interruptions continue to haunt
Mindanao - particularly in franchise areas of distribution utilities that
lack power supply agreements to keep pace with the growing demand of power.

Power generation companies have doubts in operating their plants in the
absence of approved supply contracts or compensation mechanism from the
Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

The DOE has also completed two public consultations in preparation of the
WESM Mindanao launch, in Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga City.

Public consultations in Davao City, Butuan City, and General Santos City
will run until March.

DOE has inked a partnership with the Mindanao Development Authority that
will undergo an information, education, and communication (IEC) drive. The
partnership includes the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC) and the
National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

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Link to Original Article:
http://powerphilippines.com/2017/02/21/doe-targets-june-opening-mindanao-wes
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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com