Zarate renews call to probe power plant shutdowns

Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate on Tuesday called on the House leadership to prioritize a measure he filed

back in 2017 on the questionable simultaneous shutdowns of numerous power plants – a phenomenon that has once again grabbed news headlines.

“In 2017 we filed House Resolution (HR) No. 928 to investigate the simultaneous shutdowns of 20 power plants that again spiked power rates. Inupuan lang nila ang resolusyong ito pero sana ngayon ay i-fast-track na at kagyat na magpatawag ng hearing ang pamunuan ng Kongreso (They're just sitting on this resolution but I now hope the House leadership fast-tracks it and immediately call for a hearing),” Zarate said.

HR No. 928 urges the House Committee on Energy to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the overall situation of power plants located in the Luzon grid, considering the spate and overlapping power plant shutdowns.

The measure, which has not been acted upon by the particular House panel, warned that these massive maintenance shutdowns “would definitely cost immense electricity rate hikes to the detriment of our consumers.

Zarate, in filing HR No. 928, also batted for the institution of pro-people measures and reforms "to protect the consumers from these seemingly collusive and manipulative practices."

"Since the advent of EPIRA (Electric Power Industry Reform Act), the power oligarchs have been 'electrocuting' hapless consumers with the unbridled and non-stop rise in the cost of electricity through collusion and market manipulation. And, for decades, too, our regulators are also held captive by these power players," the Davao-based solon claimed.

Last week, Zarate raised his eyebrow over the continued simultaneous maintenance shutdowns of power plants during the summer season, which end up hurting power reserves in Luzon at a time when power demand is at its highest.

That same week, system operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) placed the Luzon grid on red alert status for three straight days in order to warn consumers, including those in the franchise area of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), of rotating brownouts.