Philippines faces dark power outlook next year

MANILA, Philippines — The country may face a difficult power supply situation throughout the first six months of next year, according to Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla.

He said the Department of Energy (DOE) sees a “difficult” first half of 2023 for the country in terms of power situation.

“The first half of next year will be difficult and we need every source of power in order to bridge that period,” Lotilla said in a Senate briefing last Friday.

“The first quarter will still be a cool quarter. The difficult period is when the hot months come in,” he said.

The DOE earlier said delays in some liquefied natural gas projects as well as the inability of Malampaya to produce more gas would likely have an impact on the country’s summer power supply.

Lotilla said the agency has been working with all parties to not only ensure a stable power supply, but also to address transmission problems.

“Because we have constraints on delivering power, there is stranded power from Bataan coming to Metro Manila and having that in time for the difficult months will be important,” he said.

“Then we also have some solar plants that are coming onstream, also toward the first quarter of next year, and that also requires transmission line and substation access in order to be utilized. So that will help address some of these things,” the energy chief said.

Lotilla said the DOE is encouraging own-use facilities to be put up by companies.

“Because there, they don’t need to go through the many requirements for as long as it is for their own use or for non-commercial purposes,” he said.

“For Visayas and Mindanao, we hope that the National Grid Corp. will be on time in energizing the Mindanao to Visayas interconnection because from the 2023 scenarios we have presented, there would be at least 400 MW to 800 MW potential capacity that would be stranded in Mindanao,” Lotilla said.

Lotilla had previously expressed concern over the country’s power outlook for the summer months next year, when temperatures begin to rise and demand goes up.

The DOE has already cited the importance of energy efficiency and conservation in order to help address potential shortages.

Thin power reserves usually occur in the country during the dry season or summer months when temperatures are higher and demand soars.