DOE ditches emergency powers despite lingering Mindanao gridlock

by Myrna Velasco April 25, 2016

http://www.mb.com.ph/doe-ditches-emergency-powers-despite-lingering-mindanao-gridlock/

Despite lingering power supply gridlock in Mindanao, the Department of Energy (DOE) has emphasized that emergency powers is no longer needed to ensure blackout-free election process next month.

This was indicated to media by Energy Secretary Zenaida Y. Monsada, stressing that based on their assessment, reinforced preparations in shoring up electricity supply may already do the trick.

So far, she noted that it is just Mindanao grid that they are apprehensive about as the region still teeters frequently on to ‘red alert’ conditions, meaning, they still suffer from rolling power interruptions.

It has been indicated by some sectors that in the recent meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) with power generators in the area, the agency sounded off alarm on ‘still thin reserves’ on election day – which they estimated just hovering at 118 megawatts.

Given this, alarm bells are being raised that “the outcome for 12 million voters in Mindanao may be compromised because of blackouts.”

Monsada, however, noted that they will not allow that to happen, thus, “we are reinforcing preparations with the help of the relevant industry players,” such as the power plant owners, system operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the distribution utilities.

The energy chief has similarly emphasized if power interruptions cannot be totally avoided during the actual polling period, “then brownouts must be confined at the residential areas.”

She added that they will sort out deployment plans for generating sets and will also ask the distribution utilities in the area, such as the Davao Light & Power Co. to call on interruptible load program (ILP) participants.

The polling precincts and other election-affiliated establishments and agencies shall be spared from power interruptions, the energy chief added.

Monsada was scheduled to meet with power generation companies (GenCos) yesterday for them to ascertain if all shutdown schedules would have been complied with and ‘no undue’ extension will be affecting election power supply.

Monsada said the GenCos will also be asked on their respective preparations and operational reinforcement strategies so their plants will not conk out during the election-critical period.