by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Mar. 2 (PIA) – The Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCCI), Inc. passed a resolution petitioning the national government to put emphasis on solar power as alternative power here in Mindanao under the Renewable Energy Law.
In its maiden session last February 29, the chamber, thru its resolution, is asking the national government to allocate a 100 MW Solar PV Power Plant here in Mindanao to address power woes in the region being experienced since 2009.
At present, the city is experiencing power interruptions of at least 2 hours per day. In 2010 up to early part of last year, an 8-hour power interruption drastically affected the entire city, notably the business and service sectors, including government transactions.
The resolution content also appeals to President Benigno Aquino III to immediately address the power deficiency in Mindanao, and further states that 20 MW of Solar PV Capacity be allocated to the city.
Also part of the resolution is for the Energy Regulatory Commission to hasten the approval of the petition for feed-in tariff for electricity from renewable energy sources.
According to ZCCCI, other business chambers in Mindanao are also calling for augmentation of power supply here thru increased solar power capacity.
Mindanao has long depended on hydro power. But with climate change affecting its source, an alternative power source should be put in place as echoed by the different chambers in Mindanao. (MVC/PIA-ZBST)