Lightning causes power blackout in Bataan

ORION, Bataan — Five towns and one city in Bataan province on Friday night were plunged into darkness at least for 30 minutes to about two hours in some areas when lightning hit the 32 KV Line and caused the tripping of the 69 KV Line at the substation of the Peninsula Electric Cooperative in Orion, Bataan.

Affected were the towns of Pilar, Orion, Limay, Mariveles and Bagac and the City of Balanga.

Herman Taasan, foreman of the Orion substation, said there were strong thunder and lightning at about 5:00 in the afternoon.

“Tinamaan ng kidlat ang 32 KV distribution line at nabasag ang apat na suspension insulator. Sumabay ang tripping ng 69 KV transmission line kaya naapektuhan ang system,” the foreman said.

He showed two of the four thick and heavy-duty insulators that were broken by the lightning.

The foreman said the insulators have the capacity of 32,000 volts but were no much to the strength of the lightning.

“Kumpleto ng lightning arresters ang mga substations pero may pagkakataong lumulusot pa rin ang malakas na kidlat,” Taasan said.

He said that they immediately worked on the two lines and restored power in two hours.

The power outage did not last long in some areas after Penelco and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines shifted the load to the Hermosa line, also in Bataan, said NGCP regional corporate communication officer.

After a very hot day, light rains and strong thunder and lightning were felt in most parts of Bataan Friday afternoon. — Ernie Esconde /LBG, GMA News