‘The heat is on’
WE’RE in the midst of probably the hottest heatwave “I Am Iloilo City” has ever experienced, with the maximum heat index hovering in the mid- 40s centigrade which is basically in the danger zone, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Mayor Jerry Treñas had to cancel classes on several occasions and schools adjusted their schedules to minimize the exposure of their learners from this stifling heat.
As we’re all aware, the best prevention and remedy from heat stroke is to keep cool, and keeping cool means staying away from the sun, meaning indoors with electric fan or air-condition. Of course, all that entails electric power.
And the last thing we need in the middle of a heatwave is power interruption or blackouts.
Speaking of power interruptions, MORE Power, “I Am Iloilo City’s” sole power distribution utility, has been doing its part to prevent power interruptions from happening brought about by the heatwave.
MORE Power has started Phase 2 of its extensive cleaning operation on its 69-kilovolt (kV) lines, prompted by the prolonged absence of rain in Iloilo City brought about by El Niño.
According to Engr. Bernard Del Castillo, MORE Power VP for Network Development/Operations Group, because of El Niño/very light rain, dirt and salt have built upon insulators and facilities, causing sparks and power outages.
“Dirty insulators on our power lines are a big problem because light rains can cause sparks/outages. We need heavy rain to wash away the dirt,” Del Castillo explained.
“We cannot interrupt all 69 kV lines simultaneously due to the expansive working area; it has to be done in several phases. In fact, in Phase 1, aside from the washing of facilities, we also replaced more than 100 pieces of post insulators, and another 150 pieces for Phase 2,” added Del Castillo. (PN, 4/15/2024)
That’s just dandy, MORE Power doing its job cleaning/ upgrading these power l i nes preventing power interruptions. Then we get announcements like this from the National Power Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP):
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines ( NGCP) announces a Yellow/ Red Alert notice in the Visayas Grid following the forced outage of twelve power plants in the Visayas, including the 135MW Palm Concepcion Power Corporation (PCPC).
There are also five power plants running on derated capacities or operating below their capacity supplying the grid. This is the reason for the inadequate or insufficient electricity supply in Visayas.
Manual Load Dropping may be implemented if the supply and demand are not balanced.
All consumers are advised conserve electricity.
It’s rather ironic as just a week ago there’s all the brouhaha announcing the completion/energization of the P67.9-billion CNP 230-kV Backbone Project, supposedly to strengthen the grid and improve the reliability of power transmission in the islands of Cebu, Negros and Panay.
Why, even MORE Power president / chief executive officer Roel Castro said the completion/energization of the CNP 230kV Backbone Project, “is a significant relief for us at MORE Power and the entire Panay Island.”
Now, NGCP says we’re losing power as the power plants are conking out, and just like that, from “relief” to exasperation.
As if NGCP’s “striptease” of manual
to load dropping is not enough, here’s another NGCP- induced burden, minimal but still a burden no less.
Due to an increase in NGCP’s generation charge, MORE Power announced t hat t he average residential rate for April is P10.3062/ kWh, a slight increase from last month’s average residential rate of P10.0316/kWh.
Take note that MORE Power’s distribution, supply/metering rates remain the same with no increase. Finally, some good news: MORE Power president/ CEO Roel Castro shared his invaluable insights as one of the key reactors in the Strategic Planning Workshop for the Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC).
The insights shared by Castro stress the urgency and importance
o f s t r a t e g i c i n d u s t r i a l development i n propelling Metro Iloilo-Guimaras towards sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
According to Castro, “If there’s one thing that guided our presence in Iloilo City, it’s ensuring a robust and efficient power system. This is essential for reducing rates and preparing f or anticipated growth i n both the service and industry sectors.”
The entry of MORE Power’s sister company, International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI), taking over operations at the international port will attract international shipping lines to Iloilo City, a testament to the city’s investment and development potential, he added.
Cool. Now, will somebody turn the heat off?/