Higher demand for electricity to grow as PHL economy expands — Energy Dept.

Higher demand for electricity in the Philippines as a result of an expanding economy is sending the government strong signals to make sure there will be enough power plants to power households and industries, according to the latest Department of Energy report.

 

The demand will come from the mainstream grids of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the department noted in its 2013 Supply-Demand Outlook.

 

For Luzon, the demand is seen increasing at 4.13 percent a year on average to 10,639 megawatts (MW)  in 2020 from 7,969 MW last year. “This will increase further to 16,477 MW in 2030,” the report read.

 

Beyond the power projects committed by the private sector, the grid still needs to fill 8,100 MW of additional capacities consisting of 6,000 MW base-load plant and 2,100 MW peaking plants to meet both the demand and the grid's required reserve margin.

 

Demand in the Visayas is projected to increase by 4.52 percent a year on average to 2,237 MW in 2020.

 

“With the current dependable capacity of 2,037 MW, the system will still need additional capacity of 1,700 MW which is composed of 1,300 MW base-load and 400 MW peaking power plants to meet the future electricity demand,” the department noted.

 

The average annual growth rate in Mindanao is expected at 4.57 percent, bringing demand to 2,068 MW in 2020 and to 3,250 MW in 2030.

 

Since 2010, the Mindanao grid has been experiencing under generation, according to the energy Department.

 

“The existing capacity in the region is composed of more than 50 percent hydroelectric power plant, which is dependent on the availability of water and affected by weather conditions. 

 

“A total of 1,600 MW additional capacities are needed in the planning period to meet the electricity demand and the required reserve margin of the grid,” the department noted.

 

In a text message to reporters, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla said that the situation is being addressed by the private sector's commitment to build new power plants each year.

 

“We are definitely on track as far as meeting the demands are concerned, taking into account that power plants are coming online every year,” said Petilla.

 

Philippine output as measured by gross domestic product grew 6.6 percent last year from 3.7 percent in 2011, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board. — VS, GMA News