Gatchalian seeks Senate inquiry into possible thin power supply during Eleksyon 2022

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the Department of Energy’s (DOE) preparations in securing adequate power supply during Eleksyon 2022.

Gatchalian has filed Senate Resolution 867 despite DOE’s previous assurance that the power supply will be sufficient during the election week in 2022.

“It is crucial that programs are already in place, taking into account all eventualities to guarantee continuous supply of electricity during the 2022 automated elections,” Gatchalian, chair of the Senate energy committee, wrote.

“We must ensure the credibility and transparency in the conduct of elections as well as the delivery of fast and accurate results reflective of the genuine will of the people,” he added.

Gatchalian took note of the DOE’s statements which said that there will be no yellow alerts and power interruption during the period of elections next year, based on the initial outlook that the Energy officials had reviewed.

But the lawmaker emphasized that the Malampaya gas field’s scheduled shutdown in October was not considered as a factor in the said power outlook.

Gatchalian mentioned anew the rotational brownouts which happened during the summer season in 2019 and March to May this year.

He said these were attributed to unplanned outages and derating of power plans, among other reasons.

“[T]he brownouts in the summer of this year happened despite earlier statements from the DOE that it was optimistic that the country will not encounter major challenges or any alerts that may result in insufficiency of supply,’” he pointed out.

The Senate energy committee chairman noted reports on Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi being “non-committal” in ensuring a power interruption-free Eleksyon 2022.

He also said that some DOE officials were quoted saying that there will be “thinning of supply on election day and thereafter.”

Earlier this August, Gatchalian and Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed concern over the possible thin power supply on Eleksyon 2022.

The DOE had already assured the public that there will be no rotational power interruptions as power supply is sufficient within the May 9, 2022 elections period.

Energy Undersecretary and spokesperson Felix William Fuentebella had previously explained that power reserves, not the power supply, will be thin during the summer period next year.

Citing the explanation of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, Fuentebella said the thinning of reserves is due to higher demand.

This means that “the thinning of reserves shows sufficiency of supply, no yellow alert, and no interruption,” he said. —KG, GMA News