Luzon grid on Yellow Alert as power reserves run low

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines on Tuesday placed the Luzon grid on Yellow Alert, because of thin reserves as a result of outages in several power plants.

"Luzon Grid is on Yellow Alert from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 03:00 p.m.," Lawrence Fernandez, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) Vice President and Head for Utility Economics, said in a text message.

Fernandez noted several power plants went offline as because of forced outages, including Southwest Luzon Power, Angat Main 2, and GN Power 1.

However, Pagbilao 2 and Kalayaan 3 were on scheduled maintenance.
 

As per @NGCP_ALERT , Yellow Alert status is from 10-11 AM & 1-3 PM.

— MERALCO (@meralco) June 21, 2016

Ibig sabihin, sa mga oras na ito, ang reserbang kuryente ay mas mababa sa capacity ng largest running plant (SUAL units 1 & 2 at 647MW each)

— MERALCO (@meralco) June 21, 2016

Malaya 2 was restarted, but with a limited output of 150 megawatts (MW) due to equipment trouble. The power plant has a full capacity of 350 MW, Fernandez noted

"While demand is expected to reach 9,286 MW at 11 a.m. and 9,320 MW at 2 p.m., net reserve levels are projected to be 400 MW and 366 MW at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. respectively," Fernandez said.

Power may be sourced from other firms if need be, the Meralco official noted.

"As of 09:45 a.m., 193 accounts with an equivalent deloading capacity of 371 MW have committed to activate under the ILP (interruptible load program) if needed. Will send updates as additional info comes," he said.

A yellow alert means the grid has thin reserves based on the difference between supply and demand. – With Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News