The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the Independent Electricity Markets Operators of the Philippines were in unison in appealing to the public for consumption efficiency, amid the approaching dry season and expected increase in power consumption.
Atty. Cynthia Alabanza, spokesperson of the NGCP, said at the Laging Handa Public Briefing that there are “many factors” when it comes to power supply and that they avoiding power outages particularly during the dry season.
She said that there are the so-called forced outages that are linked to a sudden shutdown by an electricity plant.
“Wala namang inaasahang magiging problema sa kuryente. Ang nakikita lang natin sa nakaraang panahon ay may GOP o Grid Operating Plan. Ibig sabihin may schedule ang maintenance shutdown para di maantala ang supply ng kuryente,” she said.
(We are not expecting any major problems with electricity supply. What we are looking at is like in the previous years, we have a GOP or Grid Operating Plan. This means there is a schedule for maintenance shutdown so the supply will not be affected)
“Kung susundin iyan at walang lalabag sa scheduled maintenance, walang nakikitang problema sa summer months. But if nakita naman natin may pagkakataon na sabay-sabay tirik o yung hindi pagsunod o maintenance shutdown na walang aprubadong maintenance schedule, malaki mangyayari maaring makakita ng red alert status,” she added.
(If this will be followed and there will be no violations in the maintenance shutdowns, we see no problem for the summer months. But is we see instances where there will be sudden maintenance shutdown without prior approval or power plants incurring problems, there is a hug possibility of the grid being placed on red alert status)
That is why they are monitoring the demand for the coming months, while making an appeal to use electricity wisely.
“If biglang palo demand (magkakaproblema sa supply), so ang unang paalala ay maging masinop sa paggamit ng kuryente para lumaki buffer o pasobra sa tag init,” she said.
(If the demand increased due to problems with the supply it will be a problem. That is why we are appealing to the public for consumption efficiency in using electricity) Meanwhile the IEMOP also issued the same sentiments.
According to the group in a digital briefing with reporters, the weather is still in transition to the dry season as there are occasional cold weather and even rains.
However, they are expected an increase in the demand for electricity that is why they are appealing to the public to use electricity only when needed.
“Malamig pa rin so nakakatulong sa supply laban sa demand. (It is still cold so it helps with the supply versus demand) We are encouraging everybody as part of our campaign for energy efficiency especially now summer is approaching and we are expecting an increase in demand,” the IEMOP said.
“We need sufficient supply but if it is still not enough, then it would translate to the markets price in WESM it will change so we continue to promote energy efficiency,” they added.
According to the IEMOP the peak hours is being recorded from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Catherine R. Cueto
