Generator maintenance disallowed during April, May, June –DOE

The Department of Energy (DOE) will meet with power players today to seek their compliance with its policies, its spokesman said yesterday.

The agency last year released a policy against conducting maintenance of generators during April, May, and June or the “peak quarter,” said Energy Undersecretary Felix William “Wimpy” Fuentebella.

Those found noncompliant will face the Energy Regulatory Commission, Philippine Competition Commission, or the Department of Justice for criminal offense, he added.

“We cannot solve this overnight. The policies na in-issue ng DOE 2018, 2019, 2020, kailangan humabol lahat na talagang puspusan ‘yung compliance. Good thing is we’re towards that path of regime of improvement,” Fuentebella told ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo.

“We have to insist kasi, although ang department namin walang penalizing provision, kami naman ang nagko-coordinate.”

The DOE earlier said it was highly probable the country’s electricity reserves may fall within yellow or even red alert levels until next month due to the scheduled preventive maintenance of two power plants.

“There is a strong possibility na maiwasan natin ‘yan, pero kailangan tutok pa rin,” Fuentebella said.

The country had lacked power supply due to simultaneous maintenance of generators and problems in the transmission and distribution line, he said.