NPC to upgrade Camotes’ power

CEBU, Philippines —  The National Power Corporation (NPC), initially merely a power provider, might go the extra mile and help with the upgrading of Camotes’ distribution lines to solve the island’s power fluctuation problem.

Last December 20, NPC President and CEO Pio J. Benavidez visited Governor Gwen Garcia in her office for the signing of a Deed of Usufruct with the Province of Cebu.

During the visit, Benavidez told Sugbo TV, the official news leg of the Provincial Public Information Office, that NPC is willing to assist in the improvement of the outdated power lines in Camotes.

During Garcia’s visit in Camotes last November 25, she discovered that the outdated power distribution facilities cause frequent power outages in the island.

This prompted the governor to call NPC, the island’s electric supplier and Camotes Electric Cooperative (CELCO), the island’s power distributor, to resolve coordination and communication issues for a more efficient power distribution in the island.

It was later found out that the CELCO still uses a single-phase electric distribution system instead of the current widely-used three-phase system.

Apparently, CELCO’s power distribution facilities have not been updated for about 28 years.

This has been seen as the main cause of the power outages as there was no recorded shortfall in the island’s power supply.

The island’s total power capacity reaches 3,030 kilowatts with a peak demand of only 2,865 kilowatts.

Benavidez said the NPC only needs a resolution from the Cebu Provincial Board asking for assistance on the upgrading of Camotes’ distribution lines.

Once the resolution is passed, the NPC can then send personnel to the island to assess the state of the power distribution lines and come up with a solution to the problem of obsolete facilities.

The governor herself has reportedly reached out to NPC during the December 20 meeting to ask for help in improving the distribution of electricity in Camotes.

As soon as the Provincial Board passes the resolution, the upgrading of Camotes’ power distribution facilities will be included in the NPC 2021 budget, Benavidez said.  GAN (FREEMAN)