Renewable energy eyed to end N. Cotabato power woes

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Experts are recommending the use of renewable energy to solve power shortage in Kidapawan City and in 17 towns here.

Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza yesterday told The STAR that the provincial government is studying to develop domestic, natural and renewable energy sources to address power woes.

Mendoza said she and some local executives discussed the potential of renewable energy during the Renewable Energy Summit in Kidapawan City last Sept. 10.

The event was participated by renewable energy developers, representatives of power cooperatives and officials of the Department of Energy, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management of the Philippines.

Godofredo Homez, chief of Cotabato Electric Cooperative, said the province needs 34.59 megawatts (MW) of power everyday, but only gets more than half of it from suppliers.

Roger Caldwell, consultant of the transnational Amley Energy-Vitagen, told summit participants that the province could turn to renewable energy to address the shortage.

Caldwell said North Cotabato, as an agricultural area, produces organic wastes that can be converted into fuel for power-generating facilities.

Experts from another renewable energy developers, TransEnergy and Mindanao Business Council, recommended the use of solar energy to help address the shortage.