The Department of Energy (DOE) commended the swift restoration of electricity service across the Palawan Main Grid following a system-wide blackout that affected large portions of the province last May 22.

In a statement, the DOE said the outage stemmed from the failure of a corroded section of the National Power Corporation’s (NPC) Irawan–Aborlan 69-kilovolt transmission line in Sitio Tacduan, Barangay Inagawan, Puerto Princesa City.

The incident occurred at around 9:22 a.m. and disrupted electricity service across areas from Bataraza to Taytay.

According to the DOE, NPC immediately deployed technical personnel to conduct emergency assessment, isolation, and repair activities on the affected transmission facilities.

Restoration operations were carried out in coordination with the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), National Electrification Administration (NEA), Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO), and generation companies while the DOE monitored developments to support the recovery of electricity service.

The agency said restoration efforts were progressively implemented throughout the day through alternative supply configurations, switching operations, and grid stabilization measures.

Electricity service was gradually restored in Brooke’s Point, Narra, Roxas, and Puerto Princesa City, while substations in Taytay and Lucbuan were energized later in the afternoon as restoration activities continued across remaining affected areas.

The DOE also highlighted the role of blackstart operations from the DMCI Expansion Man 2 Power Plant of DMCI Power Corporation in helping re-energize the Palawan Main Grid transmission backbone.

Blackstart operations refer to the process of restarting power plants and grid sections following a total system shutdown without relying on external electricity supply.

Through coordinated restoration efforts among NPC, TransCo, generation companies, NEA, and PALECO, full restoration of power was achieved at approximately 10:06 p.m. on the same day.

The DOE likewise recognized the “professionalism, readiness, and quick response” demonstrated by technical personnel and partner agencies during the incident.

“Their immediate mobilization and coordinated action reflected the importance of preparedness and operational discipline in managing unexpected system disruptions and restoring electricity service safely and efficiently,” the DOE said.

The agency also noted that the affected transmission line segment had already been identified by NPC for replacement under its maintenance program but experienced failure before its scheduled rehabilitation.

Moving forward, the DOE said it will continue coordinating with NPC, TransCo, NEA, PALECO, and other stakeholders to accelerate preventive maintenance and rehabilitation activities aimed at improving the reliability and resiliency of Palawan’s power infrastructure.

As electricity demand continues growing in island provinces like Palawan, can preventive maintenance and grid modernization keep pace with the need for reliable power service?

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