DOE pushes for 'speedy' repair of quake-hit power plants

To ensure adequate power supply for the Luzon grid, the Department of Energy (DOE) is pushing for the "speedy" rehabilitation of major power plants that have sustained damage from the swarm of earthquakes that hit Batangas and nearby areas over the weekend.
 
“We are continuously and closely coordinating with power industry players, especially those on the side of the generation industry for the safe and immediate rehabilitation of power plants affected by the earthquake last Saturday,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said on Tuesday.

“Our priority is the safe and quick restoration of the power supply in the Luzon grid, following the declaration of a yellow alert status today, April 11, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP)," Cusi added. 

The earthquake swarm caused 1,570 megawatts (MW) of lost power capacities due to the forced outages of Avion Unit 2 (50 MW), San Lorenzo Units 1 and 2 (500 MW), Ilijan B (600 MW) and San Gabriel (420 MW), according to the DOE.

“We are also calling for the ‘Bayanihan’ spirit among the power industry players to fast-track the rehabilitation of the plants,” the Cabinet official said.
 
The DOE directed the NGCP to ensure the continued operation of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.’s Malaya Units 1 and 2 Thermal Power Plant, with a combined dependable capacity of 450 MW as additional capacity for the Luzon grid.

The Manila Electric Co. confirmed a total of 383 Interruptible Load Program (ILP) participants are ready to run their generator sets with a combined capacity of 212 MW, the DOE noted.
 
The power situation in the Visayas and Mindanao grids are normal, the department said.
 
Cusi said consumers must use power wisely to help stabilize energy demand, particularly during the summer season.
 
The DOE noted it is now in talks with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC) and other industry players on the mitigating measures that pertain to spikes in the price of power.
 
Despite the low supply situation, the current condition of the power market is still normal, according to the PEMC.
 
Prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) are within normal levels since many are observing Holy Week, which pulls down demand. As a result, electricity prices go down despite a lower generation capacity, the PEMC added.
 
On the part of ERC, the department is looking at limiting the “moving average price” in the WESM to five days from seven days.
 
The shorter days mean that the DOE, ERC and PEMC can easily monitor price movements in the spot market to protect consumers from price shocks. — VDS, GMA News