VECO: Power supply to stabilize today

CEBU, Philippines – The Visayan Electric Company expects the power supply in Metro Cebu to stabilize today despite the non-operation of three power plants that provide a combined generation capacity of 164 megawatts.

VECO spokesperson Ethel Natera said the 150-megawatt high voltage direct current that was out for three days in the Cebu-Negros-Panay grid will be back online today and tomorrow.

Likewise, she added that power demand is expected to be low today as normally, during holidays, companies and commercial establishments do not have work and consume less electricity compared to weekdays.

President Benigno Aquino III has declared today a special non-working holiday in connection with the conduct of barangay and SK elections.

Natera explained that during weekdays peak power demand in their franchise area reaches to 350 megawatts but could drop to about 170 megawatts during holidays.

"Low in demand during holidays. We don't expect power supply shortage today," Natera told The FREEMAN.

The Cebu-Negros-Panay grid has been on a red alert during the past two years as it continues to suffer generation deficiency owing to very few power plants being built vis-a-vis the surge for power demand.

The three power plants that were shutdown two days ago were the 50-megawatt Cebu Thermal Power Plant I in Naga, Cebu; the 37-megawatt Palimpinon Geothermal Power Plant 2 in Leyte and the 77-megawatt EDC-Malitbog Unit 2.

On the other hand, the line that transmits power from Luzon to the Visayas will be online today until tomorrow and will undergo another preventive maintenance on October 27 to 31.

But despite the assurance of stable power supply, Cebu Provincial election officer Lionel Marco Castillano advised everyone directly involved in the elections, particularly the board of election inspectors, to bring flash lights, emergency lamps or have standby generator sets during the counting and canvassing of votes. (FREEMAN)