Luzon grid may go on yellow alert

THE Department of Energy (DoE) said Sunday there could be a slight shortage of power supply in the Luzon grid in the next two months.

The DoE said the grid might go into yellow alert in April and May. The Visayas and Mindanao grids, meanwhile, will have normal reserve levels.

The DoE based its projections on its latest simulations that the hydroelectric power plants in Luzon will be running below capacity because the available water supply will be used mainly for irrigation.

“The summer period exerts significant pressure on electricity demand due to increased cooling needs, leading to peak demand shifts in consumption and infrastructure strain,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.

Yellow alerts in electricity grids are issued when the operating reserve is not enough to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirements, but these incidents do not usually result in power outages.

The DoE said it has directed the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to complete some of its major transmission projects by the first half of 2024 and the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines to handle the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market registration of new power generation facilities.

The agency also reminded power generation companies to comply with the DoE-approved Grid Operating and Maintenance Program and forced outages within the allowance set by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

It also said the NGCP and all distribution utilities must be ready to implement their Interruptible Load Program (ILP). The National Electrification Administration was also directed to assist the electric cooperatives in implementing their ILPs in case it is necessary.

“We are closely coordinating with all the stakeholders to carefully manage and plan for the effects of the summer period and the ongoing El Niño to ensure reliable and sustainable electricity supply,” Lotilla said.