While Mindanao is experiencing a power crisis, the Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative is bracing for the eventual enforcement of the so-called “Open Access” provision of the EPIRA Law, or as the Energy Power Industry Reform Act, that allows industrial consumers to choose their supplier of energy, by September this year.

NORECO 2 has three contestable markets with a consumption of one megawatt, namely Robinsons, Lee Plaza and Silliman University. These markets, however, have the option to continue getting power from the electric cooperative by paying the wheeling charge.

But if they choose to buy direct power from the source, these markets have to put up their own power plants and transmission lines, which is very expensive.

Acting general manager Dionefred Macahig of NORECO 2 said the open access provision is a welcome development, especially in the midst of a power shortage in Mindanao. With three megawatts taken from NORECO 2’s load, it will have more than enough power to avoid rotating brownouts.

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