DOE: TransCo to redesign Siquijor’s power supply looping configuration

The Department of Energy (DOE) has tasked the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) to redesign Siquijor’s power transmission infrastructure as part of efforts to resolve the ongoing power crisis in the island.

“We also have to reconfigure the connection,” DOE Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan said at a press conference in Taguig City on Friday.

“We have requested the National Transmission Corporation to redesign the looping configuration of the island to make sure that all facilities are talking… all generation facilities should be talking with each other so that when one is out, the others can supply,” he added.

On Wednesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited one of the power plants of Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR) in Barangay Candanay Sur, days after the island-province’s government declared a state of calamity due to the power crisis.

Marcos ordered the provincial government of Siquijor to solve the power situation in six months. 

The power crisis was “80% caused by supply problems,” according to incoming DOE officer-in-charge Undersecretary Sharon Garin.

Marasigan, for his part, said it was found that only five out of SIPCOR’s nine generation facilities are running.

“As far as the President is concerned, he is concerned about the power supply in Siquijor. He ordered NEA (National Electrification Administration) to bring in your gen-sets in case… in case ‘di ma-comply [ng SIPCRO). They have brought in good enough for two megawatts,” Garin said.

“If the genco cannot keep up with its responsibilities, it will be the government that will pay for… whatever lapses the generation company commits. There are instructions already, we do need additional funding just to make sure kahit temporary solution... The President gave us a task to deliver what is need,” she added.

SIPCOR previously said it is currently implementing corrective measures to resolve the power supply challenges in the province of Siquijor. –NB, GMA Integrated News