The Luzon grid is once again placed on yellow alert on Friday, September 22 due to the unexpected shutdown of some power plants.
In a Facebook post by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, the Luzon grid was placed on yellow alert from 10 AM to 4 PM today due to “the unexpected shutdown or limited power output of some power plants.”
The NGCP also added that the current peak demand is at 9, 552 megawatts (MW), while the available capacity is only at 10, 256 MW.
According to Meralco, the Malaya 1 and 2, Sual 2, GN Power 1, Pagbilao 2, San Lorenzo, and Kalayaan 3&4 went on a sudden power outage today.
This is the third yellow alert for the month of September alone. The first two were declared on September 9 and 16, respectively.
The occurrence of these yellow alerts despite an oversupply situation has posted concern on consumer groups.
“This tightness in power supply means our grid is still vulnerable to power interruptions and outages,” consumer group CitizenWatch Philippines convenor lawyer Hannah Viola said.
“In order to avert the possible unwanted consequences, Luzon is in dire need of new generation capacity which will provide reliable and stable power supply,” she said.
The NGCP declares yellow alerts whenever total reserves are less than the capacity of the largest plant online.
Luzon Grid’s total reserves should be at 647 MW.
The group said that reliable and affordable power is needed in assuring the country’s economic growth.
