A Review on the Current Energy Policies of Cebu
The Cebu province is slowly
growing based from its increasing number of business establishments and job
opportunities. As a result, the population have hugely prospered. As the
population increases, the demand of power also increases. The management of
energy is important in supplying the needs of the people. Visayan Electric
Company, Incorporation (VECO) is the second largest electric utility in the Philippines
which serves the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, Naga, Liloan, Consolacion, Minglanilla
and San Fernando. Veco manages the electricity to fit the needs of the people
[1].
Sources of Energy
Cebu have different types of Power Plant in generating electricity. Majority of Cebu’s power supply is sourced from coal, followed by diesel, solar and hydro [2]. The biggest power plant in Cebu is the Naga Power station. This is a 206-megawatt coal-fired power plant complex in Cebu Province. An example of diesel power plant in Cebu is Therma Power-Visayas, Incorporation which is located in Naga City, Cebu (3). For the solar power plant, Toledo Cebu Solar Farm is the biggest renewable energy facility in the province of Cebu. This is a 60-MW solar power plant that is located in Barangay Talavera in Toledo City (4). In Baranggay Matutinao, Badian, Cebu located one of the mini-hydropower plants at Cebu Electric Cooperatives I (Cebeco I) [5).
Energy Plan
The Department of Energy (DOE)
urged the Local government units (LGU) in Cebu to create an energy plan that
help secure the country towards sustainable prosperity [6]. The information
from the LGU’s energy plan will help will help us on determining how much power
supply will be needed for the Incoming new industries. Energy Power Industry
Management Bureau Assistant Director Irma Exconde said that LGU’s have
important role in development planning. The Planning Division Chief of DOE’s
Energy Policy and Planning Bureau, Michael Sinocrus, agrees with Exconde and
said that local energy planning is very important as this would help execute
projects and programs cited under the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP).
Waste-to-Energy Facility
Cebu City Mayor Rama signs joint
venture deal with New Sky Energy Inc. (NSEI) for a waste-to-energy facility
last September 22, 2023. Based on the agreement, NSEI will pay P4.8 billion for
the construction of 96—hectare waste-to-energy facility in Cebu City. It would
provide electricity for 40,000 households and give the city P24 million per
year in gross power sales revenues. According to Razilee Ligaray, legal counsel
of New Sky Energy Incorporated NSEI will have one year to find a lot and secure
required permits and then construction should be completed in two years. At a
tipping charge of P1,000 per ton for the first three years of operation, P1,150
per ton from the fourth to the sixth year, and P1,300 per ton from the seventh
to the ninth year, the city will use NSEI's facility to dispose of its garbage.
Closing Remarks
Cebu have become one of the
fastest growing city in the Philippines. This includes the improvement in
technologies and building. Population is also increasing as well as the demand
of power. There are electrical utilities present who are managing the
distributing of power like VECO. We have to follow the rules and policies in
managing energy to make it efficient and sustainable. Energy plan is a must to
continue in providing the needs of the consumers.
References
[1] A Brief History of the Visayan Electric
Company, Inc.
Online:https://www.visayanelectric.com/page.html?main=company&sub1=profile&sub2=History#:~:text=At%20present%2C%20Visayan%20Electric%20Company,Consolacion%2C%20Minglanilla%20and%20San%20Fernando.
[2] Renewable energy: A naturally brighter
solution by Jose Santino S. Bunachita (2018)
Online: https://www.google.com/amp/s/cebudailynews.inquirer.net/180862/renewable-energy-naturally-brighter-solution/amp
[3] Discover How Therma Power-Visayas, Inc.
Helps Power A Better Future by Aboitizpower.com
Online: https://aboitizpower.com/about-us/our-businesses/power-generation/thermal/therma-power-visayas-inc
[4] Philippines: 60 MW solar PV plant
commissioned on Cebu Island by Marija Maisch (2017)
Online:https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/07/28/philippines-60-mw-solar-pv-plant-commissioned-on-cebu-island/
[5] Renewable Energy: Paving the way for Cebu's
Future by Jose Santino S. Bunachita (2018)
Online: https://www.google.com/amp/s/cebudailynews.inquirer.net/180382/renewable-energy-paving-way-cebus-future/amp
[6] Cebu LGUs urged to create energy plan by
Luel Galarpe (2019)
Online: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1079478
[7] Cebu City Mayor Rama signs joint venture
deal for waste-to-energy facility by John Sitchon (2022)
Online:https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/cebu-city-mayor-rama-signs-joint-venture-deal-waste-energy-facility/
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