Clark, Pampanga—-The San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company (SFELAPCO) has started its competitive selection process (CSP) for a new power generator to lower the monthly electric bills of its customers in the City of San Fernando, towns of Floridablanca and parts of Bacolor this province, hence, four power generation firms have submitted their documentary requirements to join SFELPCO’s CSP.
SFELAPCO senior vice president and general manager Jose Lazatin said the company has started its CSP and that several power generation firms have already signified interest in supplying the electric company with “stable and affordable energy.”
During a press briefing, SFELAPCO Vice President for Strategic Planning Rocky Bayas announced that Aboitiz Solar, Ayala’s ACEN Energy, GN Power and San Miguel Global have already submitted pertinent documents containing legal, financial and technical requirements in the pre qualification conference. A pre-bid conference will be held on April 17 where SFELAPCO will provide qualified power firms details, specifications, and requirements for its power supply needs before they submit their respective bids. The opening of bids will be on May 5, 2023 and awarding will be announced on May 11, 2023. The bidder who offers the most reasonable price and offers renewable energy will be SFELAPCO’s new power generator.
Lazatin said SFELAPCO, which is among the power firms that charges the lowest rate in Region 3, must conclude the competitive selection process before its emergency power service agreement with GN Power Mariveles expires in June.
POWER RATES MAY RISE DURING SUMMER MONTHS
Consumers should manage their electricity consumption as power costs may go up in the summer months due to the surge in demand, the Department of Energy said.
“Mangyari nyan, kung mataas ang demand, the [power] plants that we will have to run are oil-based power plants. If you use oil, as you know the prices are much higher [than] if we use the other fuels,” Lotilla said during a forum organized by the Makati Business Club.
Electricity bills are already expected to rise this month after the Malampaya gas project went on maintenance shutdown.
Consumers must learn to manage their power use, especially during peak hours, which are between 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., between 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and between 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Department of Energy earlier also warned the Luzon grid could face 12 yellow alerts between March and November this year, due to insufficiency of power reserves.
“We need all the power sources, and that includes coal,” he said.
He said the government is also ensuring there is a level playing field to encourage more private investments in the industry.
There are 194 Infrastructure Flagship Projects or IFPs worth P9 trillion which were unveiled by the National Economic and Development Authority just last month.
Out of the total, four are related to energy or power including the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Plant Complex Rehabilitation of the National Power Corporation, the Ilaguen Multipurpose Irrigation & Hydropower Project and Muleta Reservoir Irrigation & Hydropower Project of the National Irrigation Administration, and the Renewable Energy program or the Agri-Fishery Sector of the Department of Agriculture.