THE Department of Energy (DOE) Visayas hopes that the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will issue a provisional authority to power generator Isla Norte Energy Corp. (Inec) to address the power woes of Bantayan Island, following the appeal of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
DOE Visayas Field Office Director Russ Mark Gamallo said they support any power generation companies to operate in the island.
“We surely welcome any power generation company to operate in the island of Bantayan. But Inec is ready to operate pending ERC approval,” he told SunStar Cebu.
Asked if ERC will issue the provisional authority, Gamallo said, “Hopefully, because time is of the essence.”
Garcia recently urged the ERC to grant provisional authority to Inec so it can supply power in the island, which comprises the municipalities of Bantayan, Madridejos and Santa Fe.
The provincial government media outfit Sugbo News reported that Garcia made the call during a meeting at the Capitol on Oct. 21, 2021, with officials from the ERC, Inec, Bantayan Island Electric Cooperative Inc. (Banelco), Bantayan Island Power Corp. and the mayors of Santa Fe and Madridejos.
Inec, a partnership between Vivant Energy Corp. and Gigawatt Power Inc., has built a 23.3-megawatt diesel power plant that will provide the long-term power requirement of the island and was awarded a 15-year contract to supply Banelco following a successful competitive selection process. (JOB)