Below-capacity water levels at hydroelectric facilities in the Luzon grid has increased the likelihood of so-called yellow alerts being issued in the hot months ahead, the Department of Energy (DOE) said.
Simulations indicate yellow alerts may be experienced in April and May as hydroelectric power plants run below capacity level due to the El Niño phenomenon.
“The summer period exerts significant pressure on electricity demand due to increased cooling needs, leading to peak demand shifts in consumption and infrastructure strain. We are, therefore, closely coordinating with all the stakeholders to carefully manage and plan for the effects of the summer period and the on-going El Niño to ensure reliable and sustainable electricity supply at the same time we request the support of everyone during this challenging
period by being conscious in our use of electricity,” said Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, in a statement.
This development reverses an earlier DOE optimism on sufficient energy even from hydroelectric facilities the rest of the year.
Yellow alerts arise from insufficient power reserves unable to meet the grid’s contingent requirements.
Nevertheless, the DOE said latest forecasts show the Visayas and Mindanao grids likely have normal reserve levels in the April-to-June quarter.
The agency said it has allowed generation facilities under testing and commissioning to inject power to the grid and provide additional capacity. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has asked this be completed quickly.
The DOE also said the NGCP is reminded to complete the major transmission projects within the first six months this year, such as the Hermosa-San Jose 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission project and Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) 230 kV stage three backbone project. The CNP is seen completed within the month as committed.
Also, the power generation companies are reminded to observe DOE-approved grid operating and maintenance programs and forced outages within the allowance set by the Energy Regulatory Commission and ensure their power generation projects meet target commercial operation dates.
The DOE is making certain the NGCP and the distribution utilities are ready to activate the interruptible load program (ILP) as the National Electrification Administration assists the electric cooperatives in implementing the ILP.
The ILP encourages large-load customers to use their generator sets or shift their operations instead of drawing power from the grid to spare households from power interruptions during instances when supply is insufficient to meet demand.
The DOE also calls on the public to continue practicing energy conservation to minimize the cost of running oil-based power plants during this period.
Also, Meralco assures its 7.8 million customers of continued, reliable and stable electricity service throughout the Holy Week break. It said while its business centers are closed from 28 to 30 March, personnel will be ready 24/7 to attend to customer concerns on electricity service.
