Napocor assures stable power supply on May 14

The National Power Corp. on Friday said there will be 7,400 megawatts of power available during the elections on May 14, more than enough to cover the projected demand for that day of 5,600 MW. The state-run power firm said coal-fired power plants will provide most of the required electricity for the period, followed by natural gas, hydro and geothermal. It said the power supply situation in all the main grids, as well as in the off-grid missionary areas, are normal, including the Cebu-Negros-Panay Grid and the Bicol Region. “There is now adequate power supply in the Bicol Region, even as it still remains isolated from the Luzon Grid. Our two geothermal power plants, one in Tiwi and the other in Sorsogon, are providing more than 160 MW of electricity to the region, which has an average daily peak demand of between 140 MW to 150 MW. We expect this to even go lower during the elections," Napocor said in a statement released to the media. “However, we still prepared contingencies that will address any power supply situation should they occur," it added. These contingencies include the use of land-based gas turbine power plants that will provide needed back-up and reserve for the CNP Grid in the Visayas. Napocor said it has also made arrangements with the National Transmission Corp. for the use of hydro power generation to support emergency power requirements in Luzon. Napocor said it is also putting on stand-by additional capacities from power barges and independent power producers that will be dispatched whenever needed and necessary in Mindanao. “In fact, these contingency measures are put in place during the election period to address the even worst case scenario in all grids," it said. Napocor has likewise assured that there is more than enough fuel for all power generation facilities to meet the projected demand before, during and after the elections. “These include all back-up power plants in the main grid and off-grid areas, and their emergency equipment. They are in fact on a high state of readiness and have adequate fuel stocks to provide support power generation and black start capabilities in Luzon, all islands in the Visayas, and Mindanao . They are ready to address any power supply emergencies," the statement said. - GMANews.TV