Partial power snag hits electric coops after Davao Oriental earthquake

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Friday said some electric cooperatives and distribution utilities are experiencing partial power interruptions following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that rocked Manay, Davao Oriental.

In its situation report, the DOE said three electric cooperatives are currently experiencing partial power interruptions due to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’ (NGCP) ongoing line assessment.

The three electric cooperatives with partial power interruptions are Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative Inc. (DORECO), Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (DASURECO), and Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NORDECO).

Meanwhile, two electric cooperatives, namely Surigao del Sur I Electric Cooperative Inc. (SURSECO I) and Surigao del Sur II Electric Cooperative (SURSECO II) are under normal operations following the earthquake.

The DOE said assessment is still ongoing for other electric cooperatives in Mindanao.

For private distribution utilities, the Energy Department said Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) reported tripping incidents as 10 of its substations have tripped, while Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company Inc. (CEPALCO) and Cotabato Light and Power Company (CLPC) are still undergoing assessments.

The DOE said the three power generation plants which went offline due to auto-tripping caused by the earthquake have been restored.

In particular, Malita Coal Plant Unit 2 with 149.1 megawatts (MW) capacity auto-tripped at 9:45 a.m. and went back online at 11:29 a.m.; Agus 1 Hydro Electric Power plants Unit 1 (29.4MW) and Unit 2 (29.3MW) which auto-tripped 9:45 a.m. were restored at 10:01 a.m. and 10:27 a.m., respectively; Pulangi 4 Hydro Plants Unit 1 (63.3MW), Unit 2 (39.2MW), and Unit 3 (63.2MW) auto-tripped at 9:45 a.m. and went back online at 10:22 a.m., 10:35 a.m., and at 11:30 a.m., respectively.

For off-grid generation units, the DOE, citing the National Power Corp., said that no diesel power plants (DPPs) were affected by the earthquake. 

“We are still getting data especially for power… We are gathering information…

Our teams, our energy family will react as fast… let’s hope and pray the damage caused by this earthquake will be as severe as it sounds,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said at a press briefing in Taguig City.

The Energy Department said the NGCP reported a total load drop of 731.52MW due to the auto-tripping of the generation plants affected by the earthquake. 

The NGCP reported that the Bunawan-Maco 138kV Line which auto-tripped at 9:45 a.m. was re-energized at 10:25 a.m.

The following lines are still unavailable:

• Davao-Toril 69kV Line
• Nabunturan-Asuncion 69kV Line
• Nabunturan-Masara 138kV Line

The affected 69kV lines serve parts of Davao City, Davao del Norte, and Davao de Oro., according to the NGCP.

Nonetheless, the grid operator reported that power transmission services in Northeastern, North Central, and Southwestern Mindanao remain stable. —VAL, GMA Integrated News