Luzon grid on red alert

MANILA, Philippines — A red alert status was raised over the Luzon grid from 2-4 p.m. Friday due to severe power deficiency, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said.

 

Meanwhile, the NGCP placed the Luzon grid on yellow alert from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 5-6 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

 

“Luzon grid is on yellow alert due to lower level operating reserves and will be degraded to red alert due to zero operating reserves brought about by insufficient power supply,” NGCP said.

 

In a text message, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) senior vice president and head of utility economics Larry Fernandez said the 382-MW Pagilbao power plant tripped this morning.

 

On its official Twitter account, Meralco said several power plants are still on shutdown, namely the 647-MW Unit 2 of the Sual power plant, 300-MW Unit 2 of the Calaca power plant, 262-MW Sta. Rita Mod. 20 plant, 135-MW Unit 2 of the South Luzon Thermal Corp. plant, 60-MW Unit 2 of Limay power plant and 50-MW Unit 2 of Angat hydroelectric power facility, 

 

Unit 1 of the Calaca coal-fired power plant still operates on limited output from 200 MW to 180 MW, it said.

 

Fernandez said interruptible load program (ILP) participants are now being advised to activate generators starting 1:01 p.m. to mitigate instances of brownout within Meralco’s franchise area.

 

So far, 197 ILP participants, equivalent to 356.11MW, are ready for dispatch to lessen the load on the power grid.