DOE eyes ROW rules for power lines

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) is coming out with rules to ensure the right-of-way (ROW) of the country’s power lines to provide an uninterrupted supply of electricity from power plants to consumers.

The agency is seeking input from stakeholders on its draft implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 11361 or the Anti-obstruction of Power Lines Act until Dec. 6.

The DOE said the guidelines would cover all power lines and other related

facilities for the conveyance of electricity throughout the country. 

The law provides that the power line corridor – which includes the land beneath, the air spaces surrounding, and the area traversed by power lines, including its horizontal, vertical, and similar clearance requirements – shall, at all times, be kept clear and free from any obstructions, dangerous structures, hazardous activities, or any similar circumstances that impede the continuous flow of electricity.

It prohibits the planting of tall growing plants, the construction of hazardous improvements, and the conduct of any hazardous activities within the power line corridor.

It also outlines the duties and responsibilities of power line owners and operators in the prevention and removal of disturbances or obstructions to the power lines, whether located on public or private property.

The law likewise authorizes power line owners and operators to seek the assistance of local government officials, the Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the discharge of their duties. It also provides penalties for persons found guilty of committing any of the prohibited acts.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, the primary author and sponsor of the law in the Senate, had said measure recognizes the continuous conveyance of electricity as a matter of national security and as a central element to economic development.

Data from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) showed the country experienced 168 instances of power outages in 2018 due to ROW issues with the NGCP lines, totaling 1,426.11 hours. 

This is an almost three-fold increase compared to the total duration of blackouts in 2017, when the country registered 236 instances or 565.71 hours of power outages.

In 2016, the NGCP reported a total of 205 blackouts or a total of just 396.11 hours.