Power facility for Bohol

Photo shows a geothermal power plant in Tongonan, Leyte, Bohol’s current main power source. (Photo credit: Joey Medrano)

TAGBILARAN — If all things go according to plan, the first of the large-scale inland Bohol power projects will be finally be bidded out in October to meet the province’s fast-growing energy demand.

In a statement Tuesday, Gov. Arthur Yap said the base load facility targets a power generation capacity of not less than 50 megawatts, which is already more than half of the province’s current peak demand.

This was learned during the Bohol Energy Development Advisory Group (BEDAG) meeting called by the governor with the three Bohol power distribution utilities (DU) last week.

The DU are the two Bohol Electric Cooperatives (BOHECO I and II) and Bohol Light Co. Inc. (BLCI), and the project is a BEDAG innovation for joint undertaking by the three DU under the so-called One Bohol Power (1BP).

Yap said the twin BOHECO await the submission of the BLCI board resolution on the agreement on the 1BP terms and conditions, which will be published also in October.

The awarding of the contract to the winning energy developer is targeted in May next year for project implementation and completion by 2023. According to the DU, their contract with their respective power suppliers will expire in late 2023.

There will likely be a simultaneous implementation of the construction of the Bohol-based power generation facility and the Cebu-Bohol power interconnection project.

Yap added the DU intend to comply with the requirement for a power plant that is a “non-coal” user.