Investors’ forum tomorrow on wholesale power spot market
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
By Donnabelle L. Gatdula
The Philippine Star 02/28/2006
The Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC) and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) will jointly conduct an investors’ forum tomorrow on the wholesale electricity spot market (WESM). The forum will recognize WESM as one of the vital components in the ongoing restructuring and privatization of the Philippine power industry. PEMC is the operator of WESM while PSALM is handling the privatization of the National Power Corp. (Napocor) assets.
PEMC president Lasse Matti Holopainen, the forum’s man speaker, will address issues and concerns regarding the WESM, whose operations are set to begin within the year. The forum is expected to be participated in by the 24 investor groups who have formally signified to bid for the four power plant packages being offered this year by PSALM. The investor groups consist of a mix of Australian, European, Asian, Japanese, American, and Filipino companies.
Four of these groups are bidding for the Calaca coal-fired thermal power plant while the Magat and Pantabangan-Masiway hydroelectric power facilities each has 13 bidders. On the other hand, 15 investor groups expressed interest in the Tiwi-Makban geothermal power complex. PSALM’s vice president for asset management and electricity trading, has lauded Froilan A. Tampinco, the investors for their continued interest in all aspects of the restructuring and privatization of the power industry.
"The bidders’ forum is an auspicious beginning for PSALM this year as it enables us to further strengthen our ties with investor groups, particularly in terms of addressing issues and concerns regarding the whole restructuring and privatization process," Tampinco said. He added that the forum is part of the overall privatization program of the government this year. "We intend to hold similar activities this year to help us meet the targets we have set in the planning sessions we recently held," he said.
posted by philpower @ 8:29 AM,
