NGCP ordered to install over 250 MW of batteries amid red, yellow alerts in Visayas grid

The Department of Energy (DOE) ordered the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to install over 250 megawatts of battery energy storage system to address the thinning energy supply in the Visayas grid.

The energy storage power plants are located in four Visayas provinces: Iloilo, Negros, Cebu, and Leyte.

"We have instructed them to connect the four power plants of batteries located in Iloilo, Negros, Cebu, and Leyte para ma-balance lahat. Kapag natuloy itong mga project na ito at matuloy din itong mga batteries, at the minimum, 50% less na ang mga yellow at red alerts dun sa Visayas," said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin in a press briefing.

(We have instructed them to connect the four power plants of batteries located in Iloilo, Negros, Cebu, and Leyte to balance everything. When these projects are completed and these batteries are also completed, at the minimum, there will be 50% less yellow and red alerts in the Visayas.)\

Red and yellow alerts have been raised over Visayas grid on Monday.

Yellow alert will take place at 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. While the red alert will be in effect between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The available capacity of the grid is at 2,318 MW while peak demand is estimated to be at 2,431 MW as of 1:20 p.m.

The NGCP said some plants are also on forced outage or running on derated capacities.

A yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.

A red alert status, on the other hand, is issued when the power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirements.

But the DOE said that some power plants are expected to return to service soon.

"From our coordination with the industry, we expect major power plants to return to service soon with TVI Unit II and KEPSCO SPC Power Corporation expected to return service within the week; followed by TVI Unit I and Cebu Energy Development Corporation Unit I in the coming weeks of September providing additional capacity," said Garin.

Further, the DOE is also mulling to tap liquid fuel facilities to help power up the grid.

"We have to commission as well yung mga liquid fuel facilities that can be easily deployed. For example, during our initial instruction to the NGCP, we have included the transfer of one of the power barges in Metro Manila, particularly from Navotas, to be transferred to Panay," said DOE Undersecretary Mario Marasigan.

He said the final configuration, instead of connecting to Panay, will be connected to Cebu near Naga Power facilities. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News