The Department of Energy (DOE) assures the public of the availability of power supply across the country before, during and after the scheduled Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Monday.
The DOE said measures are also in place to prevent any unscheduled power outages that may disrupt the voting and the counting process.
The agency said while two yellow alerts in Luzon loom in the horizon this week and the week of the elections itself, a DOE task force had been instructed to coordinate with the generating companies and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to ensure the availability of generating units to meet the demand and the required reserves during the period.
As part of this measure, the suspension of preventive maintenance and testing of generating units one week before and after the elections will be strictly observed, the DOE said.
Forecast demand in Luzon the week of the elections is seen at 12,257 megawatts. Current demand is only 10,500 MW to 11,500 MW.
Electricity consumption in the fourth quarter is generally lower when the power buffer is at least 700 MW.
The task force has also coordinated closely with the generation companies and the NGCP to facilitate the timely completion, seamless entry of power projects and critical transmission line projects should there be any.
The NGCP was likewise directed to use the high voltage direct current and the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project during peak hours to balance the power supply and demand system in the grid.
Despite the expected yellow alert in the Luzon grid, both the Visayas and Mindanao grids are not expected to experience any alerts.
“Safeguarding the energy needs of the country during the critical electoral process is our foremost concern and we have enlisted the full cooperation of all our stakeholders in the generation, transmission and distribution sectors in this endeavor,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.
Distribution utilities (DUs) were also tasked to deploy special and emergency line crews to check lines for any obstructions and to ensure that all necessary and correct connections are installed within their franchise areas.
“As early as now, all DUs must trim trees and remove hazards that can obstruct power lines. They also must secure enough generator sets and flashlights on stand-by in case of unexpected power interruption,” Lotilla stressed.
On election day, the special and emergency line crews will be on standby with the necessary logistical support to immediately respond to emergency cases affecting power supply.
DUs were likewise directed to ensure that all substation facilities and distribution lines are in normal operations to prevent any disruption in energy supply.
