Power rates are expected to more than double or even triple in the next two to three years with the privatization of the National Power Corp. and all geothermal plants by the end of the year, and the entry of the independent power producers.

This was the projection of the Negros Oriental 2 Electric Cooperative in stressing that whatever the increase maybe will be mainly based on how much the generation and transmission charges by Genco and Transco, respectively, will be.

According to Chito Lozano of the technical division of NORECO 2, the cooperative is presently negotiating with an IPP to address the growing demand for electricity in this part of the country.

The Naga-based KEPCO and Salcon Power Plant will be operating a coal-fired power plant by 2011, while Global Business Power Corp. held its groundbreaking activities in January this year.

Lozano said the entry of the IPPs is a welcome development because of a forecasted power shortage.

To date, Cebu has a total dependable capability of 279 megawatts but its demand is 410 megawatts or a shortfall of 131 megawatts.

Negros Island through the Palinpinon geothermal power plant is producing 170.8 megawatts but its demand is 182 megawatts or a shortfall of 11 megawatts.

Bohol has a shortfall of 6 megawatts but is being helped by the Tongonan, Leyte , geothermal source that has an excess of 403 megawatts.*JG

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