Power now 'more stable, reliable'

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company Inc. (Sfelapco) Corporate Communications Officer Irwin Nucum said the transfer of the Mexico-Sfelapco 69-kilovolt line to the new feeder of 300 MVA MXT1 will give consumers guaranteed stability and reliability.

The power firm shut down electricity from 6 a.m. to about 4:20 p.m. Wednesday, way ahead of the scheduled 6 p.m. resumption, much to the delight of consumers.

Reportedly, there were more praises than complaints on the much needed interruption, except for the sweltering heat that aggravated the brownouts.

Because of what Nucum called advanced information dissemination coursed through various media networks, economic and social activities were normal and were not paralyzed.

"We thank our media partners for that. Establishments were able to prepare way ahead. Some declared half-day of activities, others shifted to night schedules. The transfer had to be done even on a weekday because time was of the essence. We are so happy to hear consumers appreciated our efforts because we are in the same boat. Para din kaming tindahan na pag sarado eh, walang benta. We at Sfelapco do not want power interruptions as well. It's all in the name of public service," he said.

Nucu said that as early as 4:30 a.m. on the scheduled transfer conducted with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, Sfelapco dispatched seven mobile crews composed of 33 veteran linemen to help in the operations.

"In fact, as early as 2:30 p.m. that Wednesday, we were through with our jobs. We just had to wait for the settings of the relay," he said.

He told Sun.Star Pampanga that transferring the grid from the overloaded 100 MVA substations to the 300 MVA transformers now ensures greater stability and reliability.

"We are reaching the 85 percent overload limit because of the growing demand for power by Sfelapco users. With the new 300 MVA transformers translating the 69kV requirements into our outside power lines, we can expect greater reliability and stability. We had to move on because the recent rains and flooding have delayed our moves. At the same time, we took the initiative to maximize the power interruption by replacing old power poles. As much as possible, we do not want any brown-outs to affect our consumers," said Nucum.

He added that Sfelapco consumers could expect on-time information on interruptions, repairs or emergency brownouts through its "Info-Text" program, where customers are provided with much needed data for free.