Mindanao experiences power outages anew

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Mindanao is again experiencing power outages in the midst of summer due to the unplanned shutdown of a number of power plants, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said.

Bambi Capulong, NGCP spokesperson, said the Mindanao grid lost at least 100 megawatts (MW) due to the unexpected unavailability of the Agus 6 (Units 2 and 4), Agus 7 (Units 1 and 2), and Agus 1 (Unit 1) plants.

The fresh round of power outages has raised apprehension among Min-danaons who experienced severe power crisis last year due to low water levels in Lake Lanao and Pulangi River in Bukidnon, the main sources of water of the Agus power plants.

Capulong said the NGCP does not own, operate or shut down power plants, but as the system operator, it has information on the available capacity, system peak and reserves in the power system, particularly in Mindanao.

Capulong said only the following plants are operational: Agus 1 (30 MW); Agus 2 (90 MW); Agus 5 (50 MW); Agus 6 (100 MW); Western Mindanao Power Corp. (90 MW); and Southern Power Philippines Corp. (40 MW).

As a result of the power shortage, the Davao Light and Power Co. has implemented a power outage schedule in its area of coverage, including the cities of Davao and Panabo.

In instances when there is a deficiency in the power supplied by the different power plants, Capulong said the NGCP implements load shedding based on an allocation matrix load prepared by the power generators themselves.

In Mindanao, this load shedding matrix from the National Power Corp. is carried out across the Mindanao grid through the NGCP’s area control centers in Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Davao, Butuan, Zamboanga, and Iligan.

Parts of Mindanao experienced up to 12 hours of power outages last year when the power crisis hit its peak.