DOE: Conserve energy

Sunstar Baguio
By JM Agreda
Friday, April 4, 2014


THE Department of Energy (DOE) called on Luzon power consumers to conserve electricity this summer months as power supply remains tight for most distribution utilities in the region.

In a press statement, the DOE encouraged the public to use fuels and electricity judiciously especially in the summer months when demand is higher.

However, the energy department also warned consumers to be wary of energy saving devices sold in the market.

“We do acknowledge the inventors’ ingenuity in coming up with such energy-saving devices but we hope their products are really energy-savers so we can help the people reduce their energy consumption and thus save money, particularly at this time when the supply and cost of electricity have stirred public concern," Energy Undersecretary Loreta Ayson said.

Ayson warned the public on false claims of some companies, saying their products, when attached to electrical appliances or lights, can reduce energy consumption.

The DOE reiterated that the agency is not endorsing uncertified "energy saving," devices for use by consumers. The agency maintains these devices must undergo testing using the acceptable technology verification protocol to prove claims regarding the functional performance of such devices.

Ayson further stated, "The government continues to monitor the energy performance of appliances and lighting products covered by the energy standards and labeling program through laboratory tests."

Meantime, aside from coming up with energy saving schemes, in close coordination with power distribution utilities, the DOE is also calling for the implementation of the Interruptible Load Program in Luzon.

Energy Undersecretary Raul Aguilos said they are encouraging the ILP allowing distribution utilities the option of last resort to meet its power requirements.

Given the rising power demand during summer, ILP is part of the country's demand-side management program.

According to the DOE statement, ILP serves as an option for electric cooperatives to ask their big load customers to serve their own power needs by using their own generator sets in the event that all available mechanisms implemented to ensure supply are not enough to cover the demand for electricity.

The use of ILP is contingent to the status of the grid and the choice of the distribution utility, the DOE statement added.

Based on established protocols, ILP is implemented during a red alert status (minimal power reserve) upon the notice of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the DUs informing ILP participants to deload from the grid.

According to the DOE, the power situation in Luzon has improved at the start of the month as compared to March with Ilijan Power Plant's 600 megawatts coming online earlier than scheduled. However, the supply situation remains tight as Luzon registers its highest annual demand during the summer months.

Moreover, the Benguet Electric Cooperative assured of enough power for the summer months.

Beneco legal counsel Delmar Cariño earlier said they are certain there will be no shortage of power for consumers during the summer months stressing the power supply contract with its distributor has been reliable and secure through the years.

Cariño added their power supplier has the obligation in their contract with Beneco to source out from other power plants the needed electricity by Beneco if it is not able to meet the existing demand.

He also added the source of Beneco’s power does not come from hydroelectric power plants which rely on water levels of dams during the summer months.

The current electricity needs of Baguio City and Benguet province is at 60 to 70 megawatts per month to serve some 130,000 consumers of the firm. source