Bohol’s baseload power is one step away from the bidding process. This was bared on Monday, July 13, 2020, in a virtual meeting of Bohol officials led by Gov. Arthur Yap and former Governor now First District Congressman Edgar Chatto with National Electrification Administration (NEA) head Edgardo Masongsong and officials of the Department of Energy (DOE).
Masongsong said NEA can issue Notice to Proceed with the Competitive Selection Process as soon as the Department of Energy (DOE) affirms the Terms of Reference (TOR) submitted by the One Bohol Power (1BP).
The 1BP is comprised of distribution utilities in the province namely Bohol Light Company, Inc, Bohol Electric Cooperative I (BOHECO) I and BOHECO II. The officials of the distribution utilities were also present during the meeting.
NEA, which has direct supervision of electric cooperatives, is committed to review timelines of the project and to recommend actions to 1BP in order to hasten the bidding process.
Moreover, 1BP aggregated baseload power supply will allow distribution utilities to be in better bargaining position with power supply providers.
The approach of having a better bargaining position is an offshoot of the discussions in the Bohol Energy Development Advisory Group (BEDAG) when Chatto was still governor of Bohol.
In Mindanao, 21 out of 34 electric cooperatives formed the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AMRECO) and entered into power supply agreement in 2012.
By January 2019, the power plant of AMRECO became operational, Masongsong said.
Power planning in Bohol on the other hand, aside from local government initiative, is unique in the involvement not only of electric cooperatives but of private sector distribution utility in its push for reliable, stable, sustainable land-based power.
Meanwhile, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has set regular meetings for updates on the progress of the Cebu-Bohol Interconnection Project (CBIP) in conjunction with bid to fast track its completion.
On Wednesday, Yap with Chatto July 15, 2020, gathered local officials of Cortes, Maribojoc, Loon, Corella, along with national agencies Department of Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and distribution utilities in a public consultation on the CBIP with NGCP officials present online.
The consultation is part of simultaneous pre-construction activities being undertaken to meet project timetables.
NGCP is expected to come up with a technical solution in the best interest of communities where the transmission lines will pass through.
The top officials of Bohol also sought the support of local government leaders including mayors, barangay captains in Right of Way activities, construction permits as well as the support of national government agencies in clearances and permits.
The interconnection project is seen to increase present loading limit capacity of existing line from Leyte to meet growing demand in the province. Bohol breaching the 98 megawatts loading capacity that results in price hikes as additional power supply is bought at higher price.
The project, which is eyed for completion in 2022, will put up its cable terminal station and its overhead transmission lines will traverse Corella, Cortes, Maribojoc, and Loon.