Two lawmakers are calling on the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to guarantee that power plants remain connected to the transmission grid to safeguard against future power outages.
Inquirer reported that COOP-NATCCO party-list Representative Felimon Espares made this statement after DOE Undersecretary Sharon Garin explained in a House of Representatives committee hearing that the department has no authority over the placement of power plants by energy companies.
Espares stressed that aligning power generators and distributors with the location of transmission lines is crucial for stabilizing the energy supply and avoiding prolonged blackouts like the one Panay Island recently experienced.
The lawmaker from Panay stressed the need for DOE and ERC to address this issue, pointing out that having distant power sources poses risks if something goes wrong along the transmission route, saying that placing power plants closer to transmission lines would benefit areas like Panay and Negros islands.
Meanwhile, in the legislative franchise hearing, Garin clarified that while the DOE approves projects, power plant owners decide where to build them. They only seek permission from the DOE after conducting system impact studies (SIS) with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
On January 2, parts of Panay Island, including Guimaras and sections of Negros Island, experienced blackouts caused by several unscheduled maintenance shutdowns, according to the NGCP.
Lawmakers from both chambers of Congress have urged an investigation into the incident, with Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas calling the event “economic sabotage” due to its severe impact on businesses, schools, and livelihoods.
In March, the DOE reassured the public that efforts were underway to strengthen the Panay grid, including the Cebu-Negros-Panay transmission upgrade and the scheduled maintenance of Palm Concepcion Power Corp.’s facilities.
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