Cusi Creates Transition Panel to Manage PEMC, WESM

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi on Friday ordered the creation of a transition committee for the interim management of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) and the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

Under the department order that Cusi issued, the committee is to be chaired by Atty. Oscar E. Ala which shall exercise the functions of the PEMC president until one is appointed by the PEMC board. In addition, the Transition Committee is tasked to assess PEMC’s existing structures, systems, and resources and propose a way forward for the WESM to meet the challenges ahead. The order gives the committee seven months fromAugust 1, 2017 to complete its tasks.

Cusi said the creation of the Transition Committee is in line with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s thrust of ensuring the protection of the Filipino electricity consumers, who are affected by the operation of PEMC and the WESM.

Cusi said the PEMC shall continue to effectively govern the operations of WESM for the benefit of all electricity stakeholders. On the organizational level, Cusi assures the PEMC employees that the PEMC leadership shall continue to improve and advance their welfare as WESM operations continue to evolve.

The PEMC was incorporated in 2003 and was constituted as the autonomous group market operator to oversee market governance and perform the functions of the market operator in the WESM.

Aside from Oscar Escobar Ala as Chairman, the Transition Committee Members are Engr. Jose Mari T. Bigornia, Atty. Jose M. Layug, Jr., Atty. Francis C. Saturnino Juan and Mr. Rauf A. Tan.

The PEMC will be governed by a new Philippine Electricity Market Board composed of: Alfonso G. Cusi as Chairman with Ronald Dylan P. Concepcion, Victor Emmanuel B. Santos, Emmanuel V. Rubio, Neeraj Bhat, Deon James, Rolando M. Cagampan, Octavius M. Mendoza, Allan L. Laniba, Noel V. Aboboto, Jesus L. Arranza and Peter L. Wallace as Board Members.

Power Now Fully Restored In 3 Quake-Hit Visayas Provinces

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The Department of Energy reported today that power has been fully restored in the three provinces of Leyte, Samar and Bohol hit recently by a magnitude 6.5 earthquake.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi commended all those in the energy department and industry participants who contributed to attaining this achievement four days earlier than the 31 July deadline.

"I congratulate and thank the hardworking people, especially those on the ground, for attaining 100% restoration of power in Leyte, Samar and Bohol, " Cusi said.

"The task to build a stronger and more resilient energy system lies ahead. Our hosting of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue in Bohol next week will help us learn more and do more," Cusi added.

The System Operator, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, reported to the DOE that the newly transferred 150Mva Transformer 2 at the Ormoc Substation was successfully energized at around 2140H on Wednesday (July 27) and is loading electricity today (July 28).

This means that another 135 MW can be delivered to Leyte, Samar and Bohol (LSB).

The total potential of 330 MW in the three islands to address its projected peak demand of 291 MW is broken down as follows: (1) 135 MW traversing the Ormoc Substation; (2) 40 MW from Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant; (3) around 20 MW from various embedded generation sources; and (4) an additional 135 MW through the Ormoc Substation. The projected peak demand for LSB is 291 MW is broken down as follows: 210 MW for Leyte and Samar and 81 MW for Bohol.

DOE to Host Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Bohol

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The Department of Energy (DOE) announced Friday (28 July) the maiden hosting of the Philippines of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) to be held on 7-10 August 2017 in Panglao Island, Bohol.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said, “The hosting of ACD gives greater emphasis on the evolving global developments concerning energy and the environment and the energy-water-food nexus.”

“These topics are the key areas of cooperation where Asian nations can consolidate and expand efforts to ensure a secure, affordable, sustainable and resilient energy supplies in the region,” Cusi emphasized.

Established in June 2002, the ACD is a gathering of Asian countries to promote interdependence among Asian members in all areas of cooperation, one of which is on energy.

This year’s ACD Conference will focus on energy security, sustainability and resiliency as well as energy's relation to water and food.

The conference aims to gather energy policy makers in the region to discuss latest developments in their respective countries, and encourage consultations in identifying new cooperation initiatives that may be implemented in the ACD region.

Specifically, the Conference aims to promote information exchange and the sharing of best practices on energy policies, plans and programs among ACD Member States.

It will also be an avenue to drive investments in the following priority areas: (1) Renewable Energy and Clean Energy; (2) Natural Gas as Transition Fuel; (3) Low Carbon Future Thru Clean Energy Technologies; (4) Emerging Role of Nuclear Energy; (5) Energy Connectivity and Market Integration; and (6) The Role of the Younger Generation on the Future of Energy Development.

Participating countries are expected to share information and experiences on building a resilient energy sector, especially among high-risk countries on the adverse effects of changing weather patterns and disasters.

The other objectives of the ACD, Cusi said, are to expand trade and financial markets within Asia, and ultimately transform the Asian continent into One Asian Community.