Department of Energy (DOE) Sec. Alfonso Cusi reassured the public Friday, Aug. 27, that sufficient power supply nationwide will not be a problem in the upcoming 2022 national and local elections.
In a virtual press briefing, Cusi projected that "there is enough power" for the upcoming polls as it is part of their demand and supply outlook for the Philippine Energy Plan.
"We are making sure the island grid, the island provinces, are also taken cared of. I brought here the offices of national government—NPC (National Power Corporation) and NEA (National Electrification Administration)—to address the off-grid requirements of our island provinces," said Cusi, who traveled to Mindoro to resolve issues on rotational brownouts.
The DOE Chief said that Occidental Mindoro's concern for power supply has already been addressed as they provided it with an additional 4MW (megawatt) capacity to ease its supply concerns.
Currently, the DOE is looking into the possibility of looping the power systems of Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO) and Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO) “so the entire island will have a solution” to its power supply woes.
"Mindoro can expect an improved power service by September 30," he said as he also gave NPC a definite deadline to solve ORMECO's 25MW power supply shortage.
According to Cusi, his visit to the island was part of the department's efforts to ensure it can achieve its goal to provide 100 percent electrification by 2022.
"We are ensuring that household electrification is expedited. That’s why we are visiting provinces in off-grid areas. We are making sure the commitment of this administration is met when our term ends in June ," he said.