Government seeks help to address looming power shortage

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno S. Aquino III said today that the government has requested Chinese co-owned National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to help avert the looming power shortage in the country.

Aquino told businessmen that his administration has asked NGCP to "optimize the dispatch of hydropower plants, which will generate additional energy supply during peak hours."

He said this action is one of the "menu of options" that the government has been taking to address the projected power shortfall this summer, due to the threat of El Nino and rehabilitation of Malampaya gas field.

The Chinese State Grid Corporation owns 40 percent of the capital stock of NGCP, which operates and maintains the country's power transmission lines and facilities.

However, 18 Chinese experts employed by the NGCP have to leave the country as the Philippine government refused to renew the work visas for them, according to a statement made by Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla on February 23.