Drilon: Tap private sector to make up for expected power shortage

Senate President Franklin Drilon prefers that the government tap the private sector to address the looming power crisis in 2015 instead of giving President Benigno Aquino III emergency powers to contract additional generating capacity.

 

In an interview with reporters Friday, Drilon said he supported the proposal of Senator Sergio Osmena III for the government to ask the private companies to join the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) where they would use their own generator sets to cover their consumption. 
 

“From our studies, in Luzon there are about hundred megawatts from the private sector that is not part of the grid. These are power generated out of generating sets,” he said.

 

“In shopping malls, cement factories, they have back-up power generator. My information is that there are about a hundred megawatts power available in Luzon. I agree with Sen. Osmena to let us see first why we cannot tap these megawatts,” he added.

 

Drilon earlier said giving President Benigno Aquino III emergency powers to address the power shortage should be the last resort.

 

He said it was not yet clear to the Senate how much power wasreally needed for next year. Malacanang has yet to provide the Senate its draft joint resolution seeking additional authority for the President.

 

“At this point, it is not yet clear to us how much do we really need. But we recognize that there indeed is a shortage. How to address this best at the least cost is what the committee is looking,” said Drilon. —NB, GMA News