Philippines: WESM to be launched today in Mindanao

Philippines: WESM to be launched today in Mindanao

Some 11 years since its establishment in Luzon and over six years since
taking a foothold in the Visayas, the Wholesale Electricity Spot (WESM) will
come to Mindanao today, June 28.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi waxed optimistic with the establishment of
WESM Mindanao, saying it "signals the start of a competitive electricity
market in the region whose costing is very transparent."

He said that the provision of more reliable and competitive supply that
results in more affordable power to consumers in the region is in line with
the Duterte administration's thrust to vastly improve Mindanao's economy and
the quality of life of its people.

"WESM facilitates a transparent electricity market with which Mindanao power
generators will have an avenue to trade un-contracted power supply," said
Cusi.

"It will provide consumers more sources of electricity to choose from,
increasing their chances of lower-priced energy," he added.

The launch of WESM Mindano is set at SMX Lanang in Davao City.

The Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 mandated the
Department of Energy (DOE) to establish WESM as a venue for trading
electricity as a commodity.

WESM started commercial operations in the Luzon grid in June 2006 and in
December of 2010 in the Visayas grid, while the intricacies of the Mindanao
power industry delayed the establishment of WESM Mindanao.

WESM Mindanao will be operated by the Philippine Electricity Market
Corporation (PEMC), a non-stock, non-profit corporation which also operates
the Luzon and Visayas WESMs.

"WESM Mindanao will enable a transparent and fair mechanism to bring in more
competition, more investors and a sustainable business climate that will
eventually redound to empowering consumers from Mindanao of their power of
choice," said Cusi.

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Link to Original Article:
http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1351498700136

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com