NGCP: Adequate power reserves on election day

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines – Saying power reserves are adequate, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and the Department of Energy (DOE) assured the public yesterday that blackouts would not be a problem on election day. 

Efren Balaoing, head of the DOE’s Luzon field office, said power producers also have standby generators in case of power outages. 

Based on the power outlook summary of the NGCP, the Luzon grid has 1,822 megawatts of power reserves on May 8, 2,243 MW on May 9 and 810 MW on May 10. 

The Visayas grid has 221 MW on May 8, 190 MW on May 9 and 245 MW on May 10. Mindanao has 383 MW on May 8, 373 MW on May 9 and 254 MW on May 10. 

“In case we have very thin power reserves in Luzon… big shopping malls in Metro Manila will be asked to open their uninterruptible power sources to help sustain our energy requirement,” Balaoing said. 

NGCP and DOE created a task force to ensure adequate power supply on May 9.

Lilibeth Gaydowen, NGCP- Northern Luzon spokesperson, said they have been coordinating with the DOE in monitoring the power outlook since February. ?

Gaydowen said NGCP generators are on standby while line and equipment maintenance and testing had been cancelled two weeks before and a week after election day.

She said the  NGCP would activate its command and control center at its headquarters and regional and district offices on a 24-hourbasis to ensure that facilities are online and available until the canvassing of votes.

The NGCP will deploy its aircraft, emergency restoration equipment and spare parts for faster line inspection and restoration in case of power interruption, she added.

“Transmission service is crucial in the conduct of a clean and peaceful elections,” she said. – With Raymund Catindig ,Cesar Ramirez, Eva Visperas