Firms enlist Marawi Sultanate for P2-B power project

By Nef Luczon | PNA

October 19, 2018

@PNA Photo: Signing of the agreement between Marawi Sultanate and the two power-providers.

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur: Two private power generation providers have signed an agreement with the Sultanate of Marawi for a PHP2-billion power plant being planned in Lanao del Sur that can generate 10 to 30 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Represented by Sultan Subair Mustapha, the Sultanate of Marawi agreed to provide assistance to Frontier Power Technologies and Allied Services, and Nepodragon Power Enterprises for the establishment of an emergency power plant on a three-hectare lot in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur.

The parties signed the memorandum of agreement at the Mindanao State University Marawi Campus on Wednesday.

Under the agreement, the Royal Sultanate of Marawi committed to provide the land where the power plant would be established, as well as security. In return, the two companies committed to provide better power services to Marawi City and adjoining areas.

Engr. Ryan Nepomuceno, Nepodragon general manager, said their power generation project in Lanao del Sur is done through the Retail Competition Open Access (RCOA), which allows “contestable customers”-- those whose peak demand fall within a set threshold -- to freely choose their electricity supplier.

Nepomuceno said the project will have two phases. The first one entails the construction of a diesel-generated power plant, and the second, a renewable energy-based facility that includes wind and solar-powered energy plants.

He said they are looking to kick-start the project next year.

"Our role is simply to provide additional power. It will still be LASURECO (Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative) that will collect the payments," Nepomuceno said during the signing of the agreement with the Sultanate.

Sultan Mustapha said the Royal Sultanate, as representative of the cultural entity of the Meranaw people, has committed to support the project by engaging local officials to fast-track its implementation.

He pointed out that the project's primary intention is to provide Marawi and its neighboring towns better access to electricity.

"(I am) looking for a greener pasture for the people of Marawi, like helping provide additional electricity," the Sultan said. - PNA