(Update) TransCo, Napocor confirm toppling of transmission towers in Luzon

MANILA, Philippines - The National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) reported Sunday that typhoon Frank caused the tripping of several of its transmission lines in Luzon. However, TransCo system operations vice president Carlito Claudio said that transmission lines serving Metro Manila and adjacent areas have remained intact. Claudio added that TransCo is closely coordinating with Meralco, National Power Corporation (Napocor) and electric distributors and cooperatives in order to hasten power restoration in affected areas. As of 4 p.m., Sunday, TransCo’s System Operations group reported a power load of 2,900 megawatts, approximately 50 percent of the normal load at that time of day. Claudio said typhoon Frank’s winds caused the tripping of TransCo’s 500-kV San Jose-Tayabas line. Line crews are already in the area in south Luzon to conduct repair works. Typhoon Frank also caused the tripping of several 230-kv lines in south Luzon including the Naga-Tayabas, Pagbilao-Tayabas and Kalayaan-Gumaca lines. Claudio said the TransCo line crews have already restored several lines including the 230-kV Dolores-Malaya, Kalayaan-Malaya, Kalayaan-Makban, Kalayaan-Calauan and Cabanatuan-Mexico lines. He added that the Bicol sub-grid has been on islanding operation effective 10:22 p.m., Saturday, with Tiwi Geothermal Plant as the source of power, following the tripping of the 230-kV Naga-Tayabas lines. In the Visayas, Cebu and Bohol islands have been fully energized. Ninety percent of Negros and 80 percent of Leyte also have electricity. Other sub-grids bore the brunt of typhoon “Frank" with 10 percent of Samar and 2 percent of Panay energized, affecting the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Iloilo and Capiz. Napocor, on the other hand, said that power to contracted customers in the typhoon-affected areas would immediately be supplied as soon as the needed transmission and distribution facilities have been restored and made available. Napocor also assured its contracted customers and the electricity consuming public that its power generation facilities are operational and working efficiently, and that there is enough power to meet the country’s present demand. “For today (Sunday), we expect the peak demand to reach almost 5,000 megawatts (MW). Our available supply is almost 7,000 MW. However, due to transmission and distribution line constraints caused by Typhoon Frank, the system can accommodate only about 4,500. That is why some areas are already experiencing power outages and brownouts. We are closely coordinating with the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) as to when we can come into the system," Napocor said in a separate statement. The state-run power firm likewise said that it is also closely monitoring developments in the movement of typhoon “Frank," especially in areas where its power generation facilities are located. “In Luzon, power plants in the South that have been affected are Pagbilao, Mauban, Tiwi, and Iligan. On the other hand, Makban is on house load while Sta. Rita and San Lorenzo are on simple cycle operation. Power plants located in North Luzon are not yet affected," Napocor said. In the Visayas, meanwhile, the state-owned power generation company said that its Power Barges 101 and 102, as well as the land-based Panay Diesel Power Plant have available power, and are just waiting for the system to normalize. “We are also advising the public living near spillways and waterways of our dams to evacuate and go to higher levels in the event that we may have to spill water to prevent damage to these facilities. At present, Angat Dam’s water elevation is at 196.10 meters. Its spilling level is 215 meters, but with heavy rains, water in the dam is beginning to swell. San Roque Dam in Pangasinan, on the other hand, is still very far from its spilling level of 280 meters, at only 245 meters," the statement said. “We will be providing regular updates as necessary to inform our public on the status of our power plants and dams," Napocor concluded. - GMANews.TV