All-time high

NGCP: Power peak demand to highest ever this year

By Reuel John F. Lumawag

GRID operator, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), is forecasting that peak demand for 2018 will be hitting an all-time high.

In a press statement, NGCP said the peak demand for 2018, based on Department of Energy’s (DOE) Power Development Plan, is forecasted to reach 10,561 megawatts (MW) in Luzon, 2,143 MW in Visayas, and 2,064 MW in Mindanao.

"The all-time peak power demand for the Luzon grid was recorded last May 9, 2017 at 10,054MW. The load growth for the past five years shows the growing trend of peak power demands occurring in the month of May: 8,304MW on May 8, 2013; 8,717MW on May 21, 2014; 8,928MW on May 21, 2015; and 9,726MW on May 3, 2016," the grid operator said.

Meanwhile, NGCP said the peak power demand for the Visayas reached its highest last November 14, 2017 at 1,975 MW while the Mindanao grid’s peak was recorded at 1,760MW on December 5, 2017.

"As both grids historically experience their peak demand at the end of the year; November for Visayas and December for Mindanao. NGCP expects these numbers to be exceeded in 2018," NGCP said.

NGCP said its customers and stakeholders can be assured that its transmission facilities are adequate for the transmission of any and all available power to the grid.

"At the same time, we appeal for efficient energy use from commercial and residential consumers to prevent power shortages,” NGCP added.