Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian has prompted the Department of Energy (DOE) to immediately respond to the looming yellow alert within the Luzon grid area, amidst concerns over the prevailing El Niño conditions.
Gatchalian, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, emphasized the necessity for the DOE to establish interim measures to address potential energy shortages.
According to a report published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Gatchalian highlighted the urgency for the DOE to assemble an El Niño task force, gathering representatives from power plants and distribution utilities to strategize for contingency plans, including the execution of the Interruptible Load Program.
Gatchalian underscored the importance of ensuring an uninterrupted energy supply, particularly during the summer months, stressing that it is crucial for the government to fulfill its responsibility in this regard.
Citing DOE reports, Gatchalian pointed out that the operations of hydropower plants have been adversely affected by El Niño, heightening the risk of energy supply disruptions across Luzon from April to May.
Gatchalian reiterated the potentially detrimental effects of an energy supply shortage on the economy, asserting the need for collective efforts to guarantee the fulfillment of electricity demands for every consumer.
