Updated February 3, 2020, 11:06 AM By Myrna M.
Velasco
Right after Holy Week observance
this year or around third week April, the Department of Energy (DOE) has raised
probable ‘red alert’ or extremely tight supply conditions in the country’s
power system and if this is worsened by forced outages in power plants, some
parts of Luzon grid could be plunged into dreaded rolling brownouts.
Based on internal simulations
undertaken by the energy department in collaboration with system operator
National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the red alert condition or
the occurrence of extremely tight supply had been projected between April 18 to
21; and such may also recur around May 20-22.
The energy department indicated
there’s a need for capacity addition of 256 megawatts to 821MW “to prevent red
and yellow alert conditions” in the power system, especially on the peak days
of summer months.
When asked on the power
supply-demand forecasts for summer months, Energy Undersecretary Felix William
Fuentebella stressed that such would be the “worst case scenarios” they have
been looking at, but he assured that array of contingencies are also being
sorted out by the department since November last year to prevent any ill-omened
occurrence of power interruptions.
He similarly noted that the
department has been working on various assumptions – factoring in the various
contingency measures that each relevant stakeholder in the sector could present
as solutions to the portended dilemma in summer power supply, such as the
accelerated contracting of reserve requirements or ancillary services; faster
traction on net metering for renewable energy (primarily for solar capacities);
widening the participation of the interruptible load program (ILP); promotion
of energy efficiency initiatives; and even the deployment of battery storage
solutions.
Fuentebella, nevertheless, admitted
that the forced outages in power plants would be one thing that’s beyond the
department’s control – a similar scenario that had plagued the power system
last year when up to 1,800MW of capacity were taken out from the system
simultaneously due to unscheduled shutdown of power plants.
“The projections are being adjusted
based on the contingencies that are ongoing,” the energy official stressed.
Based on forecasts, peak demand will hit roughly 12,000MW for Luzon grid this
year; but expected capacity addition will not be coming on-line as anticipated.
Fuentebella said “there is
continuous conduct of CSPs (competitive selection processes) by the
distribution utilities,” and he said all parties involved are also being
reminded to strictly adhere to the timelines set forth under the Energy Virtual
One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act which streamlines processes of approvals by concerned
government agencies.
He said the DOE is also strictly
enforcing its Circular on Grid Operating and Maintenance Program (GOMP) to
calibrate the shutdown schedules of power plants, mainly for these not to
coincide with the summer months or when system supply is seen hovering at
critical levels.
Fuentebella similarly noted the department
is “closely monitoring power plants that are due or undergoing testing and
commissioning.”
The DOE official further emphasized
they are “fast-tracking service contract applications in accordance with EVOSS
and the Department Circular on the Omnibus Guidelines in the award and
administration of renewable energy service contracts.”
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