City mulls other solutions to incoming energy crisis

City mulls other solutions

to incoming energy crisis

ZAMBOANGA CITY (ZNS) –Despite the summer season still months away, the Climaco administration is already exploring other possible solutions to the city’s energy crisis, notwithstanding the planned coal-fired power plant to be constructed in the city.

“We need another fallback position to ensure that energy may be available by the summer of 2015,” the mayor said.

Speaking before members of the media during the regular press briefing at City Hall Monday morning, the mayor disclosed that while she sees the issuance of a provisional approval by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to the San Ramon Power, Inc. (SRPI) as a positive development, the question as to whether the power plant project would be completed by or before 2016 remains unclear.

Aside from the ERC requirement, the lady mayor revealed that there is also a need to revisit the terms of the memorandum of understanding entered into by the city government and the SRPI.

“While the ERC’s approval of the project was contributory to the delay,” Climaco explained, “the big question would be if SRPI has the capacity to build the coal-fired plant? Can they build it by 2016?”

The mayor admits that she has yet to hear from SRPI officials, but she has been in discussion with other stakeholders on other options as the city expects other energy crisis come April 2015.

“The SRPI project has been significantly delayed, so what will the ZAMCELCO (Zamboanga Electric Cooperative) and the city government do?” the mayor asked. (Claudine Uniana) (102114)