Extreme El Niño temperature may alter power supply projections – DOE
The El Niño phenomenon may still alter power supply-demand projections, especially when temperature would exceptionally rise during the summer months, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).
“Power supply projections may still change, even if we have adequate projection, due to extreme temperatures during the height of summer that will be exacerbated by El Nino,” Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said.
With the incursion of this disruptive weather pattern then, the energy chief is intensifying his plea to the public—both to businesses as well as household consumers—on the responsible use of energy.
Beyond that, relevant government agencies, in their Dec. 18 Executive Committee meeting, had collectively fleshed out the vital infrastructure facilities that could be strained with power supply when El Niño’s wrath would reach precarious proportions. The aim of the State is to provide quick and judicious interventions.
These infrastructure facilities shall cover hospitals, blood banks, banks, and water pumping stations, according to the energy department.
Further, the local government units (LGUS) are called upon to help identify critical facilities in their respective domains that must also be accorded with efficient interventions when warranted.
Possible severe blow of the El Nino phenomenon is seen as the crucible that will test not just the resiliency of the country’s power infrastructure chain, but how consumers can triumph over that constraint with their lifestyle choices and business strategies.
“As we face the challenging period where we would need the support of everyone, we must therefore be conscious in our use of electricity,” Lotilla said.
Energy efficiency practices that consumers could pursue may include unplugging unnecessary appliances during peak hours, ironing clothes during off-peak usage of electricity, using lightemitting diode (LED) lights and other inverter technologies—primarily those with air-conditioning units.