Luzon to experience power interruptions

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said Friday that Luzon Grid customers may experience power interruptions during the weekend due to a 440-megawatt (MW) deficiency.

NGCP officials said that Kepco Philippines Corporation's Malaya units 1 and 2 were put on emergency shutdown on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. and 3 a.m., respectively, due to the deficiencies.

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The two units contribute around 360 MW to the Luzon grid.

The NGCP added that the Sta. Rita module 20, owned and operated by First Gas Corporation, also went offline at Friday early morning due to a technical problem resulting from pressure fluctuation. The plant has a 250-MW capacity.

The NGCP also said the Visayas grid will still have limited power supply of 1,136 MW and a deficiency of 45 MW but Cebu Energy Development Corporation's coal-fired power plant came online on Friday and is now contributing 73 MW to the grid.

Meanwhile, the Mindanao grid is expected to still have a deficiency of 650 MW due to the reduced capabilities of hydro-electric power plants there.

The grid’s total available capacity for today is expected to be 807 MW with a peak demand of 1,457 MW.

The NGCP said it will continue to monitor power grid conditions.

As system operator, officials said the NGCP operates the power system or grid in accordance with the Philippine Grid Code. It is also the country's only utility responsible for transmitting high-voltage power from generators to distributors but does not own or operate and maintain any power generation and distribution facilities. (JTD)