NGCP suspends maintenance activities ahead of May 12 polls

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on Thursday said it has suspended all maintenance activities ahead of the midterm polls.

In a statement, the NGCP said that beginning May 5, 2025, all of its maintenance activities have been suspended “in line with contingency plans set by the Commission on Elections for the upcoming national and local elections on May 12.”

The grid operator said construction and non-critical maintenance activities near substations and transmission lines are temporarily suspended from May 5 to 16.

Maintenance work and construction activities inside substations and within 300 meters of energized power lines are also suspended during this period.

The grid operator said uninterrupted and reliable transmission of power must be ensured during the conduct of polls as well as canvassing and proclamation of winners set for May 13 to 19, “thus warranting maintenance works and shutdowns to be put on hold.”

“NGCP is strictly following its contingency measures and coordinating with concerned groups to ensure a power interruption-free election, especially during the crucial periods prescribed by the Comelec,” it said.

Sufficient supply

The NGCP, citing its updated power outlook, said there would be sufficient supply during the critical election week.

“Maintenance activities of power plants were also adjusted to ensure their availability during this period,” it said.

The company said it would activate the 24/7 operations of its Overall Command Center from May 11 until 8 p.m. of May 14.

Its critical units, particularly System Operations (SO) and Operations and Maintenance (O&M), will also remain fully staffed and operational.

“Line crews, engineers, pilots, maintenance and testing personnel, and other technical personnel are also strategically positioned in substations to respond to line trippings, if any. Administrative and other support teams will also remain on duty,” the NGCP said.

“As early as February, NGCP’s Power Task Force Elections (PTFE), a special team formed to ensure the security and reliability of the transmission network across the country during the elections, already set out with preparatory activities,” it added. —VBL, GMA Integrated News

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