DOE taps PNOC for cheaper fuel to prevent possible rotational brownouts

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday said it has coordinated with the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) to provide cheaper fuel to power plants to prevent possible rotational brownouts in off-grid areas.

DOE Secretary Sharon Garin made the statement after the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) said some isolated areas may face power interruptions due to rising diesel costs and delays in fuel subsidies.

“Sinabihan namin na puwede sila kumuha sa PNOC ng langis at mas mura at available lang para lang sa mga power plants para hindi po affected,” Garin told GMA News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

(We told them that they can get fuel from PNOC, it is cheaper and it is only available for power plants so they will not be affected.)

“Kasi kapag tumaas 'yung diesel, tataas din 'yung babayaran nila. So parang tutulungan na lang sila ng PNOC or ng gobyerno na makakuha ng murang langis,” she added.

(Because when the price of diesel increases, their payment will also increase. So PNOC or the government will just help them get cheap fuel.)

Garin said the DOE also advised NAPOCOR to check power plants lacking diesel supply.

“Sa mga isla natin kasi, di ba, halos lahat sila diesel 'yan, 97%. So nag-issue kami ng directives sa NAPOCOR at saka sa PNOC. Ibig sabihin na 'yung NAPOCOR, i-check n'yo lahat ng mga power plants ninyo ng mga diesel kung may pangangailangan sila sa diesel,” she said.

(In our islands, right, almost all of them are using diesel, 97%. So we issued directives to NAPOCOR and PNOC. To NAPOCOR, check all your power plants if they have a need for diesel.)

Meanwhile, Garin said rotational brownouts are unlikely in Metro Manila, stressing that any outages in these areas would more likely be caused by plant maintenance or technical issues rather than fuel shortages. —AOL, GMA News