DOE wants power firms probed for anti-competitive behavior

MANILA, Philippines - Instances of yellow alert in the Luzon grid this week prompted the Department of Energy (DOE) to ask the power regulator to investigate whether power players employed anti-competitive behavior which led to deficient power supply.

The DOE has requested the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to look into the recurring Yellow and Red Alert Statuses raised in the Luzon grid from July 25 to 29.

DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi specifically asked ERC to look into whether there is the existence of an anti-competitive behavior from industry players, which the power regulator is already looking into.

On Friday, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) raised a red alert status in the Luzon grid from 2 to 4pm due to severe power deficiency.

Meanwhile, it placed the Luzon grid on yellow alert from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 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, the 300-MW Unit 2 of the Calaca power plant, the 262-MW Sta. Rita Mod. 20 plant, the 135-MW Unit 2 of the South Luzon Thermal Corp. plant, the 60-MW Unit 2 of Limay power plant and the 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.