Power firm to locate in Zamboecozone

• Source: http://zamboangatimes.ph/top-news/15183-power-firm-to-locate-in-zamboecozone.html
• Saturday, June 13, 2015 9:31

By Albi A. Marquez

The ZamboEcozone and Freeport Authority was recently favored with a visit from Ms. Jovita Yeo Cua, a Zamboangeña businessperson and Chief Operating Officer of Lin Man Power Technology Inc., with two of the country’s leading power solutions firm in tow.

Solarus, the Inclusive Energy Systems, ably represented by Mr. Diosdado Capellan and Mr. Maximino Montenegro, Country Manager of Aggreko, proceeded to the zone to discuss and present their intent to locate in the ZamboEcozone and Freeport and contribute to the power supply solutions of the city and the region.

Solarus is one of the country’s leading hybrid solar power producing solution companies.

Known to the Blue Economy community, Solarus apply the innovative blue economy methods as covered and laid down by copyrights of the original article written by Professor Gunter Pauli. It is also connected to the network of Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI), where over 2,000 scientists are assembled.

On the other hand, Aggreko is an international firm that provides power generation services with complete equipment package that includes diesel or gas-fired generators, transformers, loadbanks, switchgear and accessories, along with operating personnel.

The two firms proposed to provide a power supply program for 20 megawatts within eight months of the contract signing, which will resolve the power crisis of the city and offer an economically viable long-term resolution to the power requirements of Zamboanga that would keep pace with its development and progress.

Presently, both companies are still researching and collecting the necessary data and other information that would equip and allow it to create a comprehensive and most economical power solutions program suited for Zamboanga City.

The group also visited Zamboanga City Hall for a courtesy call on Mayor Maria Isabelle G. Climaco-Salazar and had the opportunity to discuss their propositions and plans with the local chief executive.

Mayor Climaco-Salazar sits as Zamboanga City’s representative in the ZamboEcozone and Freeport Authority Board of Directors.

Also present during the meeting at City Hall was ZamboEcozone Chairperson and Administrator Christopher Lawrence S. Arnuco, ZamboEcozone and Director Edgar B. Lim and City Councilor and ZamboEcozone Director Benjamin B. “BG” Guingona IV, who chairs the City Council Trade, Investment and Industry Committee – all of whom expressed their appreciation and support to the proposal of the consortium.

Among its 23 registered locators, the ZamboEcozone and Freeport has a power generating locator in the San Ramon Power Inc. (SRPI), which is a coal-fired 100 megawatt power plant, but whose construction has been held in abeyance until next year. This would mean that SRPI will only start to deliver its much needed power to the grid in 2019 or roughly four years from now. Until then, Zamboanga will have to seek power supply alternatives or contend for the dwindling power sources and allocations or simply continue to suffer the power deficiency that is hampering the growth and development of the city, not to mention the vexatious frequent and ever worsening power outages.