'Generators,' not emergency powers will resolve energy crisis

MANILA, Philippines - "Generators" not emergency powers for President Benigno Aquino III may prevent the projected energy crisis in 2015.

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said in an interview over radio dzMM that instead of emergency powers, the House energy committee is considering the implementation of the Interruptible Load Program, where big business establishments will use power generators during the crisis.

Colmenares said that additional charges may be imposed on the public for the use of the generators, but said that it would still be lower.

He said that based on the results of the hearings, the Committee on Energy is not convinced that there would be an energy crisis in 2015.

"Nalaman namin hindi pala kulang ang suplay... Ang shortage pala, nasa reserve, 'yung kukulangin [ay] 'yung reserba," Colmenares said.

"Iba kasi 'yung kulang ang suplay at iba rin 'yung kulang ang reserba so parang tinatakot tayo ng DOE (Department of Energy) na: 'Ay grabe ang krisis,' in the end pala walang kakulangan sa suplay," Colmenares added.

He said that the projected power shortage will only last for two weeks in April of 2015.

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