DAVAO CITY -- The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said it will conduct an assessment on the power industry of the island vis-a-vis the current situation brought about by the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
MinDA Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro underscored Friday the need to take a look at how power industry in Mindanao is keeping up with the current health crisis.
Montenegro noted that the island’s distinct power structure is slightly different from the interconnected network of Visayas and Luzon.
In particular, he said MinDA--the lead agency of the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC)--will be making an assessment of the impact of the enhanced community quarantine on the island’s power sector in order to determine measures needed to support the industry.
He said the monitoring currently being undertaken by MinDA includes the possible impact of the current situation on the power sector in Mindanao.
"This is anchored on the fact that Mindanao has a power structure that is slightly different from Luzon, with most of the electric distribution being done by electric cooperatives especially in rural areas," he said.
While MinDA has noted a reduction of power demand by around 35 percent in urban centers due to the lockdown and suspension of operations of major establishments and industries, the agency said the situation may be slightly different in the provinces.
Montenegro said households account for the majority of load users’ profiles in most areas served by electric cooperatives, and with the current stay-at-home mode, there’s a possibility for consumption increase especially with extended use of electric-powered household.
"MinDA Chair Secretary Emmanuel Pinol has submitted a proposal to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeking its assistance in carrying out the impact study," he said. (PNA)
