The second round of bidding for the Power Barge (PB) 118 slated on 28 May 2009 is expected to sail smoothly as the prospective bidders seem bent on acquiring the 100-megawatt (MW) bunker-fired diesel generating power station.

Because the two investor groups who attended the pre-bid conference for PB 118 held last Thursday (16 April) are already familiar with the bidding process conducted by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), there were no major discussions on the bidding procedures for the Mindanao-based power station.

Instead, both parties suggested ways of making the sale financially and mutually beneficial to the government and the winning bidder in the long term. The sale will include the equipment, structures, auxiliaries, and accessories of PB 118.

PSALM asked the two prospective bidders to put their recommendations and other comments in writing, which should be submitted by Tuesday, 21 April.

The first round of bidding for PB 118 was scheduled last 25 February 2009, but it was declared a failure because only one bidder submitted the documentary deliverables.

Moored in Barangay San Roque, Maco, Compostela Valley, PB 118 was commissioned in August 1994 to augment the power supply in Mindanao whose electricity demand is projected to grow at an annual rate of 13.5%.

The power barge, which is about 80 kilometers from Davao City, is 95 meters long, 40 meters wide, and 45 meters high and houses the foundations for the diesel engines, alternators, auxiliary equipment, and fuel tanks.  It is situated approximately 90 meters from the shore.

PB 118 consists of two identical generating units, each rated at 50 MW.  The mooring site has a receiving tower used in the transmission of power via the 138-kilovolt tie lines.