Solon wants to investigate pending PSAs with ERC

NGCP to build replacement for fallen transmission tower in Alabang

A resolution was filed in Congress to look into the pending approval of seven power supply agreements (PSAs) with the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) on the Energy Regulatory Commission’s table.

House minority leader Danilo Suarez has filed House Resolution 1161, saying that an appropriate committee should look into the said matter to fasten the process of the PSAs to prevent rotating brownouts from occurring in Luzon.

“Existing coal-fired power plants are outdated and insufficient rendering them vulnerable to transmission failures that may be caused by disasters like the earthquake in Samar and Leyte,” Suarez said in a report by Business Mirror.

The lawmaker added that coal-fired power plant constructions are a part of the current administration’s infrastructure development program.

“These agreements are part of the infrastructure-development thrust of this administration, aim to reduce the transmission congestion in Luzon that causes intermittent power outages and consequently interrupts business activities, dampening economic growth,” he said.

Earlier, reports said that there are around 90 PSAs pending on the ERC’s desk following the resolution of restating the effectivity of the Competitive Selection process.

Among these PSAs include seven coming from Meralco with the Panay Energy Development Corp. (70 MW), Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. (225 MW), St. Raphael Power Generation Corp. (400 MW), Central Luzon Premiere Power Corp. (528 MW), Mariveles Power Generation Corp. (528 MW), Global Luzon Energy Development Corp. (600 MW), and the Atimonan One Energy Inc. (1,200 MW).