Electric consumers of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative have been advised Thursday to "lessen load consumption" throughout the duration during power shifting for safety reasons.

Ceneco considers the next 48 hours to be very critical and needs the understanding of the consumers.

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Ceneco president Engineer Edward Gasambelo said that the consumers should also observe by giving allowance of about 10-15 minutes before switching-on all electrical appliances and facilities to avoid power surge.

Gasambelo's statement developed following a "widespread brownouts" that hit some areas of Negros Occidental, including the cities of Bacolod, Silay, Talisay, Cadiz, and San Carlos Wednesday at around 9 p.m.

The "widespread brownouts" according to Ceneco, also caused inconveniences to thousands of its consumers.

The said incident also caused an automatic power shut-off by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and affected other franchise areas as well, Ceneco added.

The management explained the brownout as being caused by the damage in the substation transformers causing flashover of the primary bushings in its Burgos substation in Barangay Estefania, in Bacolod.

Gasambelo also appealed to the member-consumers that while restoration of power is being undertaken, "Ceneco cannot compromise the lives of its personnel and has to consider all the safety measures."

Replacement of the primary bushings of the damaged substation transformers, as well as the primary circuit breaker of Burgos Substation was implemented.

Considering the power needs of the consumers and the scope of work to be done so as to restore power to the affected areas, particularly on areas supplied by the Burgos Substation, Ceneco embarked on load shifting of areas within Bacolod City which may last for 1 to 2 hours, a Ceneco press statement said. (George M. De La Cruz)