by Myrna Velasco August 5, 2016
The total capacity taken out from
Luzon power grid reached record high of 2,838 megawatts (MW) in the three-week
duration of repetitive yellow and red alert conditions in the electricity
system – that was almost parallel to the 3,000MW plus capacity loss on the
unfortunate industry events of 2013.
That record-high capacity loss was
logged on July 30, 2016 (Saturday) when Luzon grid already hit breaking point,
resulting in rolling brownouts in service areas outside of Metro Manila.
Data collated from both the system
and market operators showed that demand relatively softened during the peak
hours of 11:00 a.m.; 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on that Saturday to 8,209
megawatts, 8,300MW and 7,821MW, respectively.
Available capacity, however, hand
been relatively low at just 8,672MW because of the plants that were still out
from the system on that power supply-strained weekend.
Gross reserves just hovered at 372
to 851MW; while net reserve had been critically cut-rate at ranges of 45MW to
142MW and a higher scale of 551MW.
Since July 19 until August 5, more
than 20 generating units of various power plants have suffered either emergency
or forced outages and the rest have been on maintenance shutdown schedules.
Another red alert condition was raised Friday (August 5) with rotating
brownouts enforced from 10:41 am and anticipated to last until 5:00pm.
The power facilities that suffered
forced outages or emergency shutdowns include: units 1 and 2 of South Luzon
Thermal Energy Corporation, Block 2 of the Ilijan gas-fired plant; unit 2 of
Sual coal-fired power facility; unit 2 of Calaca coal-fired plant; unit 2 of Pagbilao
facility; unit 4 of the Angat hydropower plant; unit 1 of the Kalayaan hydro
plant; units 1 and 10 of the Makiling-Banahaw geothermal power plant; block 5
of the Limay cogeneration plant; unit 1 of the Malaya thermal power plant; unit
2 of the Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corporation (SLPGC); and the San
Gabriel gas-fired power plant that is still at its commissioning phase.
The plants on maintenance shutdowns
have been Pagbilao unit 2; Malaya units 1 and 2; Angat hydro plant main 2;
Limay thermal plant unit 2; Module 20 of the Sta Rita gas plant; Malaya unit 1;
SLTEC units 1 and 2; Calaca coal unit 2; and SLPGC unit 2.
Those that suffered de-rated or
limited capacity during the supply-tormenting period include unit 1 of the
Calaca plant; Malaya units 1 and 2; Kalayaan hydro plant; Angat and Magat hydro
plants as well as the Limay thermal power facility.
The power system on ‘breakdown’ had
prompted the Department of Energy (DOE) to “assess whether there are enough
measures or standards for power generation companies to ensure their power
plants are always in good condition and are able to meet their obligations to
their respective customers.”
Beyond the periodic press releases
and occasional response to text messages from the media, however, industry
stakeholders have been batting for more concrete actions from Energy Secretary
Alfonso G. Cusi on how the department could address this distressing situation.
He promised “improving power supply
situation in the country”, but how to get there is something that he had not
given details on.
The energy chief just made
proverbial statement that “we will strengthen the policies and programs and we
will work with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to ensure that all
standards are enforced to ascertain reliable, stable and reasonably priced
electricity, because we cannot let the people suffer from power interruptions.”
He said “mechanisms are being
studied by the DOE to include looking into the provision of replacement power
for contracted capacities and the creation of technical audit teams to assess
the operations and contracts of generation companies and distribution utilities
as well as strengthening the promotion of energy investments to augment supply
of electricity in the country.”
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