Public urged to conserve energy

To minimize summer brownouts

Malacañang is calling on the public to help conserve energy to minimize the possibility of rotating brownouts in Luzon this summer.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. also assured that the Department of Energy (DOE) is closely monitoring the supply situation amid the Malampaya power plant shutdown for its annual maintenance.

The Malampaya power plant’s annual maintenance started Sunday.

“Government calls for the adoption of energy conservation measures and continuing support from the private sector in using their own generators as an alternative power source, under the DOE’s Interruptible Load Program (ILP),” Coloma said.

“It is hoped that with the adoption of these contingency measures, and with full public support, the possibility of rotating two-hour brown- outs in Luzon, which has been projected as the worstcase scenario, may be minimized,” he added.

The Palace official also assured that the Executive branch continues to work with Congress for the enactment of a Joint Resolution that would address the looming brownouts this summer.

“We continue to work closely with Congress in threshing out issues pertaining to the enactment of a Joint Resolution to address the possible power supply shortage for the duration of the summer season,” Coloma said.

The Executive branch is asking for the approval of both Houses of Congress for standby authority under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) law to address the looming power shortage this summer.

The Joint Resolution will authorize the national government to contract an additional generating capacity to address the projected 300-megawatt deficit, and to have sufficient regulating reserves equivalent to four percent of peak demand, for another 300 megawatts.

Power shortage of up to 300 megawatts is looming in Luzon this summer season due to the expected increase in power demand.