Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light) has commenced rehabilitating the ageing power distribution facilities it took over from the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco).
Davao Light President and Chief Operating Officer Engr. Enriczar Tia said rehabilitation work is already underway after Nordeco complied with the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) cease-and-desist order.
“We started the rehabilitation process already. We are thankful nga nag-cooperate si Nordeco sa mandate sa ERC. Mag-cease and desist na siya,” Tia said.
He said the rehabilitation covers several deteriorated distribution assets inherited from Nordeco.
“Ang existing facilities sa Nordeco kay dilapidated na ang mga assets niya. Ang iyahang mga poste, mga power lines, ug other line devices, we need to upgrade that. Pero dili ra na siya overnight mahitabo. Process-process na,” he explained.
Tia added that Davao Light is now also serving Talicud Island including the restoration of electricity distribution services.
Tia said Talicud Island continues to receive electricity from the National Power Corporation–Small Power Utilities Group (NPC-SPUG), while Davao Light has already taken over the distribution of power to consumers.
“There’s an existing power plant sa NPC-SPUG. Sila pa ang nag-supply karon, but the distribution of the power, kami na ang naga-distribute,” he said.
He added that the transfer of distribution operations in Talicud was slightly delayed due to coordination with NPC-SPUG on contractual arrangements.
“Medyo naulahi siya because we were still coordinating with NPC-SPUG for the contract, but it’s already ongoing now,” Tia said.
The power demand in Talicud Island is currently around 500 to 600 kilowatts (kW).
Meanwhile, Tia said Davao City’s electricity demand has continued to grow, reaching a peak load of around 600 to 620 megawatts (MW).
“The higher it gets, the better for us. Meaning, daghan ang mga investors diri,” he said.
He noted that Davao Light has enough supply to meet the city’s electricity requirements.
On average, however, the city’s daily demand ranges from 530 MW to 550 MW, with peak demand largely driven by the operations of major industrial customers such as steel and cement plants.
“Mudako atong demand kung muandar ning tanang steel plants o cement plants. But dili man na permi sila muandar,” Tia said.
He added that Davao Light closely monitors electricity demand every day to ensure reliable power supply across its franchise area.
