Grids still on alert amid demand surge

MANILA, Philippines — Power grids across the country remained on alert yesterday, according to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

The NGCP said the Luzon and Mindanao grids were placed on yellow alert due to a forecast increase in power demand.

The Visayas grid was on red alert due to increased demand and decrease of power exported from Luzon. 

The Visayas grid had an available capacity of 2,791 megawatts amid a peak demand of 2,530 MW. 

The Luzon grid, on the other hand, had an available capacity and peak demand of 14,535 MW and 13,751 MW, respectively. 

Available capacity for the Mindanao grid was at 2,861 MW while peak demand was 2,680 MW. 

The NGCP issues a red alert when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.

A yellow alert is raised when power supply is not sufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement. 

Secretary Raphael Lotilla assured the public that the Department of Energy is monitoring the operations of the power plants and coordinating with them. 

As provided under the Philippine Grid Code, the NGCP recently conducted its annual blackout drills for the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids to improve grid reliability and security in response to power outages. 

Black start services, actual restoration experiences, blackout restoration guidelines and procedures, breakout sessions and workshops focusing on “area-specific blackout restoration highways” were tackled during the event. 

A simulation drill was held a week after the conduct of each event, replicating an actual blackout scenario.