By Lenie Lectura – November 12, 2020
from Business Mirror

THE MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) has extended for 24 hours the deadline for the submission of formal interest to participate in the competitive auction for its 1,800megawatt (MW) power requirements.

The power distribution firm said several interested bidders requested to extend the Expression of Interest (EOI) deadline set on November 12 due to inclement weather and its effects brought about by Typhoon Ulysses.

“In consideration of the unforeseen widespread effects of the said typhoon and with a reminder to prospective bidders that waiting until the very last day  of the deadline to finalize and file its Expression of Interest, Confidentiality Undertaking, and payment of the Participation Fee, is an informed and calculated risk on the part of the prospective bidder, the Third Party Bids and Awards Committee (TPBAC) hereby grants a 24-hour extension of the Expression of Interest Deadline,” Meralco said in a notice Thursday.

The new deadline is set on November 13 at 4 p.m.

Last month, TPBAC received Expressions of Interest from several firms with offered capacities totaling 3,600MW, utilizing a variety of technologies.

Identities of the 9 interested bidders were not revealed, citing non-disclosure agreements. “We are not at liberty to disclose the names of companies who expressed interest. There are around nine generating companies,” said Meralco head of Regulatory Affairs Jose Ronald Valles. ”It’s a total of 3,600MW. Some submitted 600MW while some submitted a minimum of 150MW.”

Atimonan One Energy, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Meralco PowerGen Corp., said it will participate in the CSP.

Other firms that have verbally expressed interest include AC Energy, the power arm of Ayala Corp.; Consunji-led Semirara Mining and Power Corp. ;  Aboitiz Power Corp.; and San Miguel Corp.’s power unit.

The winning bidders will secure a 20-year power supply agreement with Meralco.

A pre-bid conference is scheduled on December 17, 2020, with bid submission deadline set on January 25, 2021. The bids will be opened on the same day. Meralco’s preferred price will only be revealed to the bidders during the opening of the bid prices.

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