Energy department works to normalize Luzon grid

MANILA — Following the declaration of a Yellow Alert status for the Luzon grid by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), the Department of Energy (DOE) said it is accelerating efforts to restore lost power capacities as major power plants went on planned and forced outages.

The total lost power capacities due to the plant outages has reached 1,364 megawatts (MW) following the planned outages of Pagbilao Unit 2 (382 MW), San Lorenzo Unit 1 (250 MW), and Limay B6 (70 MW); the forced outage of the GNPower Unit 1 (302 MW); and the unavailability of both Kalayaan Units 3 and 4 (360 MW).

“Our priority now is to quickly restore power supply in the Luzon grid and we are in close coordination with our energy stakeholders to normalize the power situation. We also appeal to our consumers to use energy wisely and assist in stabilizing the energy situation,” Cusi said in a news release issued Friday.

The DOE assured consumers that the power market is still normal despite the reduction of supply.

As of 1 p.m. Friday, the power supply capacity in Luzon stood at 10,091 MW with a projected demand of 9,469 MW and a reserve of 622 MW.

The DOE said there will be another set of planned reduction of supply due to the gas restriction from Malampaya over the weekend. The department said that while the power situation may not be affected because there is an anticipated reduction in the demand for electricity, it will still closely monitor the power situation. (DOE)