Metro Manila, May 10 ----- The Department of Energy on Tuesday said that more yellow alerts or when power reserves fall below the ideal levels could be potentially raised throughout May.
Energy Undersecretary Rowena Guevarra said they already assumed the worst-case scenario with the absence of the Ilijan natural gas plant, which is undergoing retrofitting works following the ceasing of gas supply deliveries from the Malampaya natural gas facility. "We have potential yellow alerts for the entire month of May. Now the way it was computed is yung worst case scenario na, in-assume na namin na wala yung Ilijan. Tapos lahat ng hindi papasok na mga generators, tanggal na rin sa analysis," she said in a media briefing. "If that power plant comes in, mababawasan yung yellow alerts natin for the rest of the year," added Guevarra.
The 1,200-megawatt power facility in Batangas, which contributed up to 10% of Luzon’s net reliable capacity, is expected to resume operations by May 26. The DOE earlier said 15 yellow alerts could be issued this year due to transmission constraints. When asked if there could be future red alerts or when power supply in grids is insufficient, Guevara replied: "May possibility pa rin, pero magkakamukha ng nangyari kahapon. Remember, this is the first red alert of the year."
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines on Monday was forced to declare red and yellow alerts over the Luzon and Visayas grids due to plant shutdowns and low power production, but they were lifted later in the day. The DOE pointed out that the unfinished transmission lines in parts of the country could have cushioned the recent power interruptions. "Dapat yung [Hermosa-San Jose Transmission Line] nung December pa dapat natapos yun. So, 600 megawatts sana na power na andun sa Bataan area ay dapat naibato dito sa population area, but then sa July pa matatapos yung transmission line na yun," said Guevarra.
Guevarra added that the unfinished Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project, which will connect the Mindanao and Visayas power grids, could have transmitted additional power supply to Luzon as Mindanao only utilizes 70% of its power capacity. "Unfortunate, sana yung delay hanggang before summer sana, but it extended all after summer pa matatapos. That's why we have this situation today," she said.
Source: cnnphilippines.com
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