DOE told to assure additional power supply before summer months

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure the entry of the additional 1,196 megawatts (MW) of power supply during the first half of the year to prevent power interruptions during the summer months. 

In a report by the Manila Standard, Gatchalian said that steady power supply is critical in sustaining economic growth “as it is anchored on our capacity to provide electricity supply when and where it is needed.” 

In its latest power outlook for Luzon, DOE said that 1,196 MW of committed generation capacity for Luzon and Visayas will enter the grid this year. 

The additional capacity is expected to cover the projected peak demand this year, which is at 13,125 MW during the last week of May. 

12 yellow alerts are seen in the Luzon Grid this year, some of which cover the entire month of May (Weeks 18 to 21). 

Gatchalian is also calling on the DOE to make sure that there will be no maintenance shutdown of power plants during the peak months to prevent the declaration of red alert status and rotational brownouts. 

Earlier, the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. (NASECORE) also urged DOE to address the lack of power reserves in the Luzon Grid.