The Department of Energy (DOE) on Friday maintained that the energy supply for the dry season is manageable with contingencies in place should there be unscheduled power shutdowns due to unforeseen events.
While ruling that there should be no maintenance shutdowns for the duration of the dry season, there are fuel powered generators on standby should there be problems.
However, it will be costly as they need to buy fuel.
‘If tumataas ang demand, tumataas ang presyo, dahil napipilitan mga (If the demand increase, the price increases because the distributors are forced) or utilities to call and use the generators powered by diesel powered generator,” Energy Undersecretary Rowena Guevarra said during the Laging Handa Public Briefing.
“There are reserves. While there should be no maintenance shutdowns, there are contingency plans,” she said.
During the briefing, Guevarra said that based on their projections, for Luzon, they are expecting a peak demand of 13,125 mw with at least 15 yellow alerts and no red alerts.
For Visayas, it is estimated at 2,691 mw at peak with at least five projects yellow alerts during the evening and zero red alerts
They do not expect any alerts and will have a peak of 2395mw peak power needs.
Meanwhile, at the Meralco Power Outlook, Guevarra also said that they expect to ensure a stable power supply during the barangay and SK Elections.
“We can assure stakeholders that there will be no red alerts only expect yellow alerts,” she said.
She also said that they had asked the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to make sure that there will be no power interruptions and the ensure contingencies as demand grows during the dry season and El Nino.
Guevarra noted that the Marcos government is focusing on renewable energy not only to lower electricity cost, but to ensure unhampered service even during dry months.
They identified the solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and hydropower as sources of energy.
Catherine R Cueto
