CEPALCO applies for PHP4-B capex

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=3&rid=899619
• Wednesday, June 29, 2016

(PNA), BNB/JLD

MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- The Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co. (CEPALCO) filed an application for its potential PHP4 billion capital expenditures for 2015 and 2016 at the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

According to the petition, the distribution utility expects the total peak demand of its customers could reach 320-480 megawatts (MW) in the next 10 years.

With the higher demand, it noted it has to build new substations, switchyards, sub-transmission lines, primary distribution lines and acquire transportation equipment, which also includes tools and equipment and other necessary facilities.

”Due to the significant increase in the demand of electricity starting year 2017, CEPALCO needs to implement these projects as soon as possible within this year, 2016, in order that the additional capacity that it will received from with power suppliers can be efficiently feed to its distribution system facilities for distribution to its customers,” it stressed.

The company also disclosed it plans to automate its system through Smart-grid, allowing it to monitor the power supply flow from the power plant to the household. It could also allow customers to turn off their appliances through gadgets or mobile phones.

”The long-term expansion program is aimed to improve system capacity, reliability, efficiency, and comply safety requirements to meet the fast-growing demand of electricity in CEPALCO's franchise area, hence the implementation of these projects will enable it comply with its obligation to provide reliable and efficient service to its customers,” it added.

Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co., which started its operations in 1962, covers 65 barangays of Cagayan de Oro, including some municipalities in Misamis Oriental.