Bidding for power barges moved

generate 32 megawatts, would be conducted on the same day that PSALM was to auction the P556-million contract to operate and maintain the 650-MW Malaya thermal power facility in Pililia, Rizal, Tolentino added.

This will be the second time that PSALM is bidding out the four power barges, which are being considered by the Department of Energy as a solution to the supply woes in electricity-starved Mindanao.

It is a precondition that the winning bidders must transfer three of the barges now in the Visayas to Mindanao as soon as possible—despite the sentiments put forward by interested companies about the potential difficulties that they might encounter should they transfer the barges to Mindanao.

PSALM will still be offering the barges in three packages, with the first combining PB 101 and 102, both of which are stationed at Barangay Obrero in Iloilo City; package 2 will cover PB 103, which is moored in Botongon, Estancia, Iloilo; and package 3 for PB 104, currently located at the Holcim Compound in Ilang, Davao City.

The first bidding conducted by PSALM last May 16 was declared a failure after receiving only one offer from ACTA Power Corp., a joint venture between the Ayala Group’s AC Energy Holdings and the Phinma-led Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp.

Prior to the first bidding, at least seven groups had expressed interest to participate in the auction, including San Miguel Corp. and the Lopez-led First Gen Corp.