The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has reassured the public that the company is fully prepared to handle the anticipated spike in power demand as the country braces for the dry season and the upcoming midterm elections.
“We are actively coordinating with the Department of Energy (DOE) and other industry stakeholders to ensure readiness to meet the higher demand we anticipate in the coming months, which coincides with the country’s midterm elections,” Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said.
With the midterm elections fast approaching, ensuring uninterrupted power is crucial. Meralco participated in mock elections conducted by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to assess its emergency response. The company simulated outage incidents, including load-side trouble, downed power lines, and fire-related outages—scenarios that were quickly resolved by its teams.
“Historically, Meralco’s franchise area has had no problems during the election period, but we have prepared contingency plans in case of isolated power outages to ensure that our facilities are ready to respond to any emergency,” Zaldarriaga stated.
To reinforce its preparedness, Meralco has deployed generator sets and positioned response crews in key locations to address potential issues swiftly. The power distributor’s call center group has also trained to handle outage-related concerns from election officers and the general public.
Beyond election-related concerns, the dry season brings its own set of challenges, with residential electricity consumption typically rising between 20% to 33%. To mitigate the strain on the grid, Meralco has secured an emergency power supply agreement for 200 MW to supplement its baseload and minimize reliance on the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), where prices are volatile.
Meralco is also pushing for greater participation in the government’s Interruptible Load Program (ILP), which encourages large consumers to use their own generator sets during peak demand. Over 100 companies, with a combined de-loading capacity of more than 500 MW, are already part of the initiative.
“By practicing energy efficiency, customers can better manage their electricity consumption while also doing their part in managing energy demand,” Zaldarriaga noted.
While Meralco has taken steps to ensure power stability, the twin pressures of a rising heat index and a national election highlight the fragility of the country’s energy supply. The question remains: Are these measures enough to prevent outages during such a crucial time? What additional steps should be taken to secure the power grid during this critical period? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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