MAKING sure that the economic growth momentum is sustained, Governor Edgar Chatto generated assurances from the power sector while looking at the future of investments in Bohol. Aside from dreaming of becoming a strong eco-cultural tourism destination in the country, Boholanos also envision an aggressive agro-industrial economy that has the potential to sap all available energies the province may need. With this, in a meeting with the key power sector, Governor Edgar Chatto said energy authorities have assured a sustainable power supply in support of local industries. In the same meeting, the National Grid Corporation along with Bohol Electric Cooperative 1 and 2, Bohol Light Company Incorporated and other energy authorities also assured that the present power capacity can sustain Bohol's development leap until 2015. Bohol now is largely supplied by the Leyte-Bohol Power Interconnection Project laid in 1999, which was designed to transmit 138 KV of geothermal power from Tongonan in Leyte to Bohol.

The maximum transmitted capacity however, Gov. Chatto bared at his weekly Kita ug ang Gobernador radio program is about 85 MW, considering the transmission losses. With the future operation of Panglao airport and its complex, a projected surge in power demand could be expected, energy experts have aired their fears. To this, according to the governor, the Department of Energy and the NGC has even assured a strengthened power boost with the completion of the Bohol Backbone Transmission Project, which brings more power to the urban centers in Tagbilaran and Panglao. The P1.4B project also puts up fiber-optics strung through high tension transmission lines through steel overhead towers from Ubay to Tagbilaran , and the 100 MVA Tagbilaran sub-station. T he project aims to accommodate load growth and address the low voltage problem, improve system reliability and operational flexibility and extend electricity service to areas which used to have no access to power supply, said the Governor Erico Aumentado who sought for the granting of the project.

Phase two of the project also includes upgrading the submarine cables from Lapinig island in Carlos P. Garcia town in Bohol to Guadalupe in Leyte, which is aimed to boost more power. When completed, as the project design shows, Bohol nets an estimated 276 KV from Leyte alone. Over this, Chatto also said that aside from the main bulk supply from Leyte, Bohol is also looking at its locally generated power and its capacity for building more island based resources. Earlier reports also said that Ayala Development Corporation has shares interest in developing an 8 MW hydro power plant in Danao-Inabanga town area, utilizing the Wahig River. At present, Bohol's peak power demand is pegged at 65 MW, sources at the main distribution companies said. Locally generated hydro electric power includes Ewon (Sevilla town) (1.2 MW), Hanopol (2.5MW), Loboc (1.2MW). (PIABohol/Rey Anthony Chiu)