NGCP may implement rotational brownouts in parts of Luzon, Metro Manila amid thin power reserves

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is set to implement rotational brownouts in some parts of Luzon and Metro Manila amid the yellow and red alerts raised due to thinning power reserves.

In an advisory, NGCP said it may implement manual load dropping (MLD) in the following areas from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. to “maintain the integrity of the power system”:

•     Benguet Electric Cooperative (parts of Baguio City and Benguet)
•     Nueva Ecija Electric Cooperative II-Area 1 (parts of Nueva Ecija)
•     San Jose Electric Cooperative (San Jose City, Nueva Ecija)
•     Pantabangan Municipal Electric System (Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija)
•     Quezon Electric Cooperative I (parts of Quezon)
•     Sorsogon Electric Cooperative I (parts of Sorsogon)
•     Manila Electric Cooperative (parts of Metro Manila)

NGCP said MLD may be implemented on the following areas from 11 a.m. to 12 noon:

• Isabelo Electric Cooperative I (parts of Isabela)
• Nueva Ecija Electric Cooperative II-Area 1 (parts of Nueva Ecija)
• San Jose Electric Cooperative (San Jose City, Nueva Ecija)
• Pantabangan Municipal Electric System (Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija)
• Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative II and IV (parts of Camarines Sur)
• Meralco (parts of Metro Manila)

Meanwhile, rotational brownouts may be implemented from 12 noon to 1 p.m.:

• Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (parts of Ilocos Norte)
• Pampanga Electric Cooperative II (parts of Pampanga)
• Batangas Electric Cooperative II (parts of Batangas)
• Albay Power and Energy Corp. (parts of Albay)
• Meralco (parts of Metro Manila)

An MLD is defined as the process of cutting off power in areas served at a specific time due to power supply shortage.

NGCP placed the Luzon Grid under Yellow Alert from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., and from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.; and Red Alert from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., indicating that there is zero ancillary services or a generation deficiency exists.

Available capacity is at 11,408 megawatts while the peak demand is estimated at 11,593 megawatts.

“Schedule may be cancelled if system condition improves, such as if actual demand falls below projections,” NGCP said.

The power grid operator encouraged consumers to exercise prudence in using electricity.

In a separate advisory, Meralco said the yellow and red alert statuses were raised “due to insufficient operating reserve brought about by power plant outages.”

Meralco also posted a tentative list of affected areas within its franchise between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.:

Cavite

•     General Trias: Pasong Kawayan 1 and Pasong Kawayan 2
•     Tanza: Bagtas, Biga, Bunga, Daang Amaya 1, Mulawin, Paradahan 1, Paradahan 2, Punta 1, Punta 2, Sanja Mayor, Santol, Tanauan, and Tres Cruses
•     Trece Martirez City: Aguado, Cabuco, De Ocampo, Gregorio, Hugo Perez, Lapidario, Luciano, and San Agustin

Bulacan

•     San Jose del Monte City: Gaya-gaya
•     Balagtas: Pulong Gubat
•     Bocaue: Batia, Tambobong, and Turo
•     Bustos: Malawak
•     Pandi: Bagong Barrio, Baka-bakahan, Bunsuran 1, Bunsuran 2, Bunsuran 3, Cacarong Bata, Cacarong Matanda, Cupang, Malibong Bata, Malibong Matanda, Mapulang Lupa, Masuso, Pinagkuartelan, Poblacion, San Roque, Siling Bata, and Siling Matanda
•     Santa Maria: Lalakhan, Manggahan, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz

Metro Manila

•     Caloocan City: Bagong Silang, Bagong Silang–Kaliwa, Bagong Silang–Kanan, Bagumbong, and Camarin
•     Valenzuela: Karuhatan, Hen T. de Leon, Malinta, Maysan, Parada, and Poblacion
•     Quezon City: Kalusugan, Mariana/Damayan Lagi, and Marilag
•     San Juan: Ermitaño

Laguna

•     Cabuyao: Baclaran, Banaybanay, Banlic, Gulod, Mamatid, Marinig, Pulo, and San isidro
•     Calamba: Banlic, Looc, Paciano rizal, San Cristobal, Uwisan, Barandal, Batino, Canlubang, Hornalan, Laguerta, Majada Loob, Majada Out, Mayapa, Paciano Rizal, Palo-alto, and Sirang Lupa

“In case of supply deficiency, corporations and commercial establishments participating under the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) are ready to use their generator sets to help prevent / minimize incidents of power outage,” Meralco said.— AOL/RSJ, GMA News