Luzon Grid ready for Paeng - NGCP

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said Thursday that the Luzon power grid system is ready for Tropical Storm Paeng, which is expected to hit the island as a typhoon this weekend.

As part of the preparations for the weather disturbance, the grid operator will suspend all scheduled maintenance and construction activities, said NGCP Engineering Project Management Department head Giovanni Randy Galang at a virtual press briefing.

The NGCP will also preposition quick response teams in areas where Paeng is expected to make landfall.

“We’d like to assure you that the entire Luzon Grid is prepared for Tropical Storm Paeng as far as NGCP is concerned,” Galang said.

Meanwhile, Energy Undersecretary Felix Fuentebella said the Department of Energy is making the necessary preparations and coordinating with the downstream oil industry as well as stakeholders in the power sector three days ahead of Paeng's anticipated landfall on October 30.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, state weather bureau PAGASA said Paeng “may pass close to Catanduanes on Saturday and a landfall scenario is possible on Sunday in the eastern coast of Aurora or Quezon.”
 
“Considering the southward shift in the forecast track, a possible landfall in the eastern portion of [the] Bicol Region is not ruled out at this time,” it added.
 
Paeng is forecast to reach the typhoon category on Saturday.  — VBL, GMA News