Thin supply but no red alerts for Luzon grid this summer

By Lenie Lectura April 23, 2021
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/04/23/thin-supply-but-no-red-alerts-for-luzon-grid-this-summer/

THE Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday assured the public the Luzon grid would be spared from red alerts until June. This means that the grid would have sufficient power reserves meant to avert power outage incidents.

However, the agency acknowledged that power supply could be thin during the summer months until June because some power plants are placed on extended shutdown. As such, a yellow alert could be issued by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

“There is a possibility of yellow alerts during weeks 15-18 [mid-April until first week of May]. We expect another round of yellow alert during weeks 21 to 25 [mid-May until mid-June]. This is because there are power plants that are on extended forced outage and also because of high demand. Magkakaraon ng thinning of reserves for summer months,” said DOE Assistant Secretary Redentor Delola during an online press briefing.

The estimated peak demand of 11,841MW is expected to occur mid-May.

The DOE said it has been closely monitoring the actual day-to-day peak demand in comparison with the projected demand as a basis for its coordination efforts. Since the year-to-date demand profile suggests that the optimistic forecast will not be achieved, the grid would have additional reserve.

“We will have sufficient level of supply as long as there will be no additional outages of big power plants or simultaneous outages of small plants. Given how demand has been moving since the start of the year, we have sufficient level of reserves, about 1,000MW,” said Delola.

Since January 7 of this year, the DOE held coordination meetings with the NGCP, the generation companies, and other electric power stakeholders to address the projected power issues that may lead to insufficiency of power supply.

From these meetings, DOE enjoined TeaM Energy Corporation and Kepco Ilijan Corporation (Keilco) to defer the Planned Maintenance Schedule of Sual Unit 1 (647 MW) and Ilijan Block A (600 MW). While the DOE is yet to receive an official response, both TeaM Energy and Keilco confirmed their deferment of preventive maintenance schedule (PMS) to comply with the “no preventive maintenance policy during peak quarters.”

The DOE also called the attention of the following generation companies that were on outage last March to request information on the outage and estimated time in or resumption of operation:

a. Asia Pacific Energy Corp. (Apec);

b. Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) Power Company Ltd;

c. Luzon Hydro Corp. (LHC);

d. First Gas Power Corp. (FGPC);

e. GNPower Mariveles Center Ltd. Co.;

f. Petron Corp.; and

g. Sem Calaca Power Corp.

Power use can be responsible

On April 23, 2021 02:30 AM By Gabrielle Santillan

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/04/23/power-use-can-be-responsible/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=power-use-can-be-responsible

 

Responsibility in the use of electricity should be observed since it is the time of the year when bill gets higher as the dry season persists.

This is a reminder from the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (Philreca) and the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), parallel to the Department of Energy’s (DoE) thrust toward energy efficiency.

“Being more responsible in our consumption will ultimately redound to average, if not lower, monthly bills, despite the rising temperatures,” Philreca President Presley de Jesus said.

Mostly driven by the shift in the ambient temperature’s impact to appliance performance, as well as additional time they’re are used, households increase their consumption from 10 percent to 40 percent compared to cooler months, depending on the segment they are in, data from Meralco suggest.

Increased consumption also is attributed to quarantine restrictions, with online classes still ongoing and many still on work-from-home arrangements.

Savings from power use

Philreca and Meralco advise customers to follow these steps to avoid bill shocks:
• For aircon units, clean air filters regularly, recommended is to do this twice a month. Clogged filter causes airflow issues, the harder it is the air handler has to work to push the air through a clogged filter, hence more energy will be consumed.

This simple task can yield savings of P334 per month for a 1hp window-type aircon unit based on PowerLab tests;

• Set thermostat at a comfortable level. Tests show that for a 1 horsepower (hp) window-type aircon unit, setting the aircon at mid or 25C versus the coolest or 18C can save up to P991 per month. Choose the correct size or horsepower for your aircon depending on the size of the room or space.

In this case, bigger is not always better. In fact, it can cost you more. Based on Power Lab tests, oversizing or undersizing your aircon hp capacity can add P932 additional to the monthly bill;

• Check if you need to replace your old aircon. As aircons age, factoring in usage and maintenance conditions, efficiency is significantly reduced. Newer technology offers higher efficiencies. A 10-year old aircon can consume 2x to 3x more than the newer ones.

Based on Power Lab tests, a new 1.0hp window-type conventional aircon can save up to P682 per month versus a 10-year-old aircon; and versus a new 1.0hp window-type inverter, savings can be up to P1,108 per month;

• For refrigerators, make sure refrigerator doors are properly closed.

Try the paper test to see if they seal properly. Air leaks make the compressor work harder, hence more energy consumption. This can add around P405 per month for a 7 cu ft two-door refrigerator. Do not overload refrigerators. Optimal loading is two-thirds (2/3) full. Ensure air vents are not blocked for optimal cooling. For a 7 cu ft, save P231 per month (optimal vs overload); and • Regularly clean electric fan blades and motor housing should be free of dust accumulation. Save up to P5 per month per fan by simply doing this simple task.

Electric fan speed also matters. Setting it at no. 1 against no. 3 can save P51 per month per fan.

THIS SUMMER: Power interruptions unlikely

By Jed Macapagal - April 23, 2021

https://malaya.com.ph/index.php/news_business/this-summer-power-interruptions-unlikely/

The Department of Energy (DOE) does not expect to raise red alert in the Luzon grid this summer as indicated by power demand trends.

This simply means power interruptions are unlikely.

The DOE said at worst, yellow alerts may be raised.

Yellow alerts are issued when the level of power reserve in the grid is low while red alerts are issued when actual power supply against demand is insufficient and power interruptions are imminent.

The agency said the revised forecast was made as it observed peak demand levels against actual demand levels were not breached since the start of the year.

Year-to-date peak demand stood at 10,543 megawatts (MW) against forecasted peak 11,841 MW for 2021, or a difference of 1,298 MW.

The DOE said it is closely monitoring actual day-to-day peak demand citing the updated power outlook for the year provided by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines as of April 14 which showed yellow alerts may be experienced from the 15th to 18th weeks and from the 21st to 25th weeks of the year.

“If we look at the trend, since January, actual demand is far from the projected demand and if we follow that, we will not hit the forecasted 11,800 MW peak demand for May… We are hoping to sustain the same supply and demand profile towards June barring any untoward incidents because there are also forced outages that can happen along the way,” said Redentor Delola, DOE assistant secretary, in a virtual briefing yesterday.

“If we experience high volumes of forced outages, then maybe we will experience some alerts but based on the projections, we should have yellow alerts this week but in actual, we did not breach any alerts so far,” Delola said.

He said more relaxed quarantine restrictions will not significantly impact power demand due to the effects of La Nina from May and June.

The DOE said as of yesterday, seven power plant units with a total capacity of over 1,900 MW — plants operated by SN Aboitiz Power; GNPower Mariveles Energy, South Luzon Power Generation Corp.; Sem-Calaca Power Corp. AND TeaM Energy Corp. — are on outage or derating.

Delola said only two of the downed power plants are on planned outage and the five are on forced outage.

DOE spokesman Felix William Fuentebella said the agency has asked the Energy Regulatory Commission, the Philippine Competition Commission and the Department of Justice for enforcement assistance and case buildup on possible violation by industry players for extended outages of among other policies, Department Circular No. 2020-02-0004.

The circular provides the guidelines of planned outage schedules of power plants and transmission facilities.

Meanwhile, Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI) said the DOE must strictly implement the grid operating and maintenance program rule of zero plant maintenance during the summer months.

LKI said in a statement the spot market operator should flag any irregular price spikes in the market and should use its powers to investigate and impose sanctions on erring plant owners.

“When supply of power is lacking, prices in the spot market go up and distribution utilities are forced to get their power from spot market with high generation costs that will (in turn) burden the consumers,” said Victor Dimagiba, LKI president.

Senate committee on energy chairman Sherwin Gatchalian, said the DOE should also verify whether or not power plants on extended outages are really experiencing logistical problems in the delivery of spare parts as claimed.

“An immediate action should be done in order for plants not to experience simultaneous forced shutdowns,” Gatchalian said.

RCOA: Giving Choice And Voice To The Filipino Consumer

Opinion Nic Satur Jr. April 22, 2021
https://www.advocatesomi.com/opinion/rcoa-giving-choice-and-voice-to-the-filipino-consumer

On April 9, 2021, the Philippines observed “Araw ng Kagitingan” or National Day of Valor. Filipinos are known the world over for bravery and patriotism, which shine through even in the midst of this very challenging global pandemic.

Among the challenges braved by ordinary Filipinos daily is the high cost of electricity. Recently, one of the country’s leading distribution utilities, Meralco, announced an increase in electricity rates. They however assured that disconnections will not be enforced until the end of the month in light of extended community quarantine measures.

The current problems that we all are facing right now underscore the importance of reliable and affordable energy services, which we at Kuryente.org believe can be ushered in by RCOA or the Retail Competition and Open Access of the EPIRA law.

The Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) is among the provisions of Republic Act No. 9136 (Rule 12), also known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or EPIRA, which aims to provide quality, reliable, secure, and affordable electric power services, as well as to develop a competitive market for electricity.

Under RCOA, power distribution utilities such as Meralco, Aboitiz and the electric cooperatives will no longer have a monopoly on the retail supply of power, which will result in lower electricity costs and will afford consumers the freedom to choose their electricity supplier. Power supply retailers will have to compete with each other in terms of price and services, hence giving consumers the power of choice.

RCOA will not only lower the cost of electricity, but will potentially improve the delivery of services. It is also expected to usher in more competition, which will then put competitive pressure on the electricity retailers’ service efficiency, reliability, and affordability.

Supporting the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and Department of Energy (DOE) in the implementation of the RCOA will benefit every Filipino household who relies on electricity now, more than ever.

In February 2021, ERC promulgated a Resolution expanding the RCOA threshold from 750kW to 500kW, which means that more industries could qualify and be allowed to freely choose their energy supplier. This is pursuant to its mandate under Section 31 of the Electric Powerwer Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and Rule 12 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to promote competition and ensure the successful restructuring and modernization of the electric power industry.

According to ERC Chair Agnes Devanadera, the expansion of the RCOA coverage is the “embodiment of the EPIRA's end-goal of achieving competition at the retail or end-user level” and will help promote robust and fair competition to boost the country’s economy during these trying times.

As a consumer welfare organization, Kuryente.Org supports and will closely monitor the implementation of the RCOA.

There is no more patriotic act than putting others’ interest above one’s own. Implementing the RCOA is a humanitarian initiative that will ensure our kababayans, who have been languishing in this prolonged economic crisis, will have, at least, the power to choose what is best for them.

DOE assures enough power supply during dry months

By Kris Crismundo April 22, 2021, 4:51 pm

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137670

 

MANILA – As power demand peaks during the dry season, the Department of Energy (DOE) does not foresee rotational brownouts as long as there will be no further shutdown of power plants that could substantially impact the Luzon grid.

DOE Assistant Secretary Redentor Delola said in a press briefing Thursday that the current power supply can cater to the peak demand of 11,841 megawatts (MW), which is expected mid-May, even if seven power generation companies are offline from April to June.

Firms that have been on outage since last month are Asia Pacific Energy Corporation, Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan Power Company Ltd, Luzon Hydro Corporation, First Gas Power Corporation, GN Power Mariveles Center Ltd. Co., Petron Corp., and Sem Calaca Power Corporation.

Some of the outage will extend until July and August.

Delola previously said the DOE is already looking into shutdowns that are caused by scheduled maintenance and technical glitches, among others.

“Given these extended outages, what we are seeing in our profile is there is a possibility of yellow alerts during week 15 to week 18. That’s the second week of April and the first week of May. We expect another round of yellow alerts during week 21 to week 25,” he said.

DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said consumers need not worry about yellow alert status as this would not lead to power interruption.

“Huwag tayong mangamba dahil meron pa tayong supisyente na kuryente. Hindi s’ya nagreresulta sa power interruption. Pero ‘pag nag-red alert na po ‘yan, ‘yon ang nagkakaroon ng mga rotating brownout (Let’s not worry because we have sufficient power. It  won’t result in a power interruption. But if it’s a red alert, that’s when we will have rotating brownouts),” he said.

During a yellow alert, the DOE will closely monitor generation companies so that there will be no further power plant outages that may escalate into a red alert.

“Since mababa ‘yung demand, ‘yung projection ng yellow alert hindi rin mangyayari. Ibig sabihin maganda ang sitwasyon natin (Since there is a lower demand, our projection of a yellow alert might not even happen). And it’s already April, so we are almost one-third away from the peak period,” Fuentebella said. (PNA)