The Department of Energy (DOE) is forecasting an improved power situation during the dry months in 2025, specifically in the Luzon grid.
In a report by GMA News Online, Energy Undersecretary Rowena Guevarra said that Luzon will reap the benefit of the incoming 4,000 megawatts (MW) additional power capacity.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) issued 11 red alerts and 31 yellow alerts in the Luzon grid during the dry months of April to June this year, which were intensified by El Niño.
Guevara added that 2024 was a “special year” due to El Niño, which played a factor in the high heat index during the summer months.
However, the DOE Undersecretary expressed concerns for the Visayas grid next year as red alerts remained a possibility due to potential congestion from tourism. She cited Bohol as an example, saying that the usual load of Bohol was around 90 MW, until May when it went as high as 130 MW, and the 50% increase was due to tourism in the area.
In the Visayas grid, during the dry season, eight red alerts and 26 yellow alerts were raised.
Meanwhile, things are looking up for the Mindanao grid in 2025 as the demand was only two-thirds of the island’s supply. In the dry season of 2024, Mindanao had zero red alerts and only two yellow alerts.
