‘More blackouts to hit Mindanao’

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – More blackouts will hit Mindanao unless right-of-way issues and bombings of tower posts are addressed, according to an official of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

Emmanuel Abellanosa, NGCP-Mindanao operations and maintenance head, said eight towers of the NGCP in Mindanao have so far been bombed this year.

Earlier this month, the explosion that rocked the NGCP’s 138-kilovolt Kibawe-Sultan Kudarat line in Pikit, North Cotabato caused power outages that lasted up to 10 hours in some areas.

Abellanosa said the planting of trees below the transmission lines also contribute to power failure.

The NGCP has been appealing to landowners not to plant or cut down trees below the transmission lines as trees could topple the cables during strong winds or stormy weather.

Abellanosa said the demand for power in Mindanao is higher compared to what is generated by power plants. He said the National Power Corp. also reduced its load in preparation for El Niño.

Abellanosa said power supply in Mindanao is seen to stabilize by the second quarter of 2017 when coal-powered plants will come on stream.