Power crisis in Mindanao to worsen in May

Major hydropower source drying up.

National Power Corporation warned the continued drop in the water level at Lake Lanao would force it to limit the power generation from the 700 MW Agus hydropower complex beginning May.

This move will further worsen the rotating blackouts on Mindanao island in southern Philippines because of an acute shortfall in power supply. As the start of this week, the Mindanao grid posted a power supply deficit of 121 MW.

Once the water elevation at Lake Lanao falls below the critical level of 699.15 meters above sea level in May, Napocor’s operating protocol s requires it to start curtailing operations, resulting to limited electric power generation from the Agus hydro plants.

Agus and the Pulangi power facility provide 53% of Mindanao’s electricity requirements.

Napocor said its power plants and its contracted capacities from independent power producers can generate 1,071 MW during peak hours, which is enough to meet its contractual obligations of 924 MW.