If the government doesn't address the worsening power brownouts in the Visayas immediately, investors will take their capital elsewhere, Sen. Francis Escudero said in a press release from his office, after reports of “worsening” power outages in Cebu, Panay, and Negros .

Reports said rotating power outages last week were caused by power plants tripping, and the reason given by power officials were the aging power plants in Cebu .

“Our economic planners forecast growth of about 2.8 percent for 2009 on the premise that last year's net foreign direct investments will be replicated. But if we can't ensure a consistent power supply, then investors are unlikely to come,” Escudero said in the press release.

Since September, power supply has become a problem in the region and is projected to continue until new plants are installed, the press release said.

Based on the government's Power Development Plan, total power demand in the Philippines is projected to more than double to 17,722MW in 2014 from the current 8,559 MW.

The Visayas region will also need an additional 2,283 MW from the current demand of 967 MW.

“The government should fast-track the development of alternative power sources to mitigate the effects of an expected power shortage in the next few years,” Escudero said in the press release.*

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