Guimaras gets energy boost,
Arroyo switches on 3.4 MW power plant

Guimaras province gets boost in its power supply when President Gloria Macapagal switches on this April 15 the 3.4 MW Bunker Oil-fired Guimaras Power Plant in Barangay San Miguel, Jordan.

President Arroyo will also tour the plant's facilities and get a briefing on how this will operate and the benefits the immediate vicinity and the host province in general, can derive from it.

The construction of the plant is the result of an Electricity Supply Agreement (ESA) between the Guimaras electric Cooperative (GUIMELCO) and Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corporation, sealed last November 2003.

The ESA gives the Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corporation the right to construct, finance, operate and maintain a brand new power plant in Bgy. San Miguel, Jordan under a Build-Own-Operate scheme.

Power to be generated from the power plant will be delivered  directly to the 13.2 KV distribution line of the GUIMELCO.

Mr. Frank Almacen of the Trans-Asia Devt. Corporation said that with the power plant, Guimaras can expect to have more reliable power and better voltage quality, hence it will not suffer from periodic interruptions.

Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corporation is a 35-year-old oil and energy company which is listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange, and has participated in the exploration and development, drilling and production of North Matinloc wells off West Palawan.  Aside from its energy development initiatives, Trans-Asis is also focusing on shelter, education, medical and financial services.

The Guimaras Bunker O-Fired Power Plant has a total project cost of P115 million, coming from an P80 million loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines and P35 million equity fund.  Construction started in June 2004 and completed in March this year. (PIA/ESS)