PH gov’t orders immediate restoration of plants in Visayas and Mindanao

Nearly 1 GW are on forced outage.

The Philippines’ Department of Energy has directed the fast restoration of power plants in Visayas and Mindanao to help stabilise the grid.

In a statement, the department said 943.9 megawatts (MW) of energy generation capacity is affected in the said regions. Specifically, Visayas has at least 14 generation facilities that are on forced outage, whilst Mindanao has 11 generation companies that are also on outage.

“The restoration of these facilities must be treated with utmost urgency,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin emphasised.

The Visayas Grid has been placed under yellow alert status for the third time since 1 August. According to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, the grid’s available capacity stands at 2,528 MW, whilst peak demand is projected to reach 2,475 MW.

Meanwhile, the Mindanao Grid was also placed under yellow alert on 1 August, with an available capacity of 2,827 MW and a peak demand of 2,667 MW.

The department has instructed private distribution utilities to prepare for the possible activation of the Interruptible Load Program, a demand-side mechanism designed to ease grid pressure by tapping large consumers with standby generation. More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) and Visayan Electric Company (VECO) have already committed to activating their customers’ standby generators.

In addition, the DOE is calling on industrial and commercial establishments, as well as the general public in both grids, to use electricity wisely, particularly during peak hours.