Repeated red alerts in the Luzon and Visayas grids this week underscore the need for a long-term power development plan that aligns renewable energy expansion with adequate baseload capacity, according to Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute (PERPI) executive board member Atty. Jay Layug.

“The Red alert declared in the Luzon and Visayas grids for the past 2 days is nothing new. We have seen this type of occurrence for the last few years during summer peak months,” he said.

“Obviously, as in the past, the alerts resulted from a power system strained by multiple fossil fuel-run plants on maintenance shutdown, summer high demand, aggravated by the tripping of lines isolating further several generating units,” he added.

The comments came after the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) placed the Luzon grid under Yellow andRed alerts from May 13 to 15 due to thin operating reserves.

The supply shortfall led to rotational power interruptions within the franchise area of Manila Electric Company. Meralco said manual load dropping affected more than 920,000 customers on May 13, over 320,000 customers on May 14, and around 900,000 customers on May 15 before service was fully restored late that night.

Meralco also tapped its Interruptible Load Program (ILP), securing de-loading capacity of about 240 MW to 270 MW from participating large customers to help ease pressure on the grid.

Layug said the recurring alerts reinforce the need for a more coordinated approach to generation planning as the Philippines accelerates renewable energy deployment.

“As in the last few years, we have recommended the need for an integrated power plan that balances the integration of renewables with necessary baseload capacities and optimal resource-based energy mix,” he said.

“As we scale up renewables, we need to calibrate our power systems to ensure a reliable baseload supply,” Layug added.

The Philippines is targeting a 35% share of renewable energy in the power generation mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040. Energy sector stakeholders have said achieving those goals will require parallel investments in grid infrastructure, flexible generation, and storage systems to maintain reliability.

What measures do you think are most urgent to prevent recurring red alerts while expanding renewable energy capacity in the Philippines?

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