Luzon is forecasted initially to have a peak demand of 12,387 megawatts (MW) come May, according to the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO).

Based on a BusinessWorld report, the projected demand is higher by six percent compared to the 11,640MW actual Luzon peak demand for 2021. Actual peak demand for MERALCO’s franchise area last year was at 7,808MW.

May is part of the second quarter, which has the highest demands for electricity given the onset of the summer season. This May in particular is more notable given the 2022 elections is slated for the ninth of the month.

Relative to this, the power giant has urged power generation companies (gencos) to join the competitive selection process (CSP) for the supply of 170MW of peaking power needed for the summer. Interested parties were given until this Wednesday to submit their Expressions of Interest for the five-month contract spanning from February 26 to July 25.

MERALCO Head of Regulatory Management Office Atty. Jose Ronald Valles said supply from other gencos will help the firm “ensure availability of reliable and cost-competitive supply, which is especially critical during the 2022 dry months and the upcoming National and Local Elections.”

MERALCO, the country largest distribution utility, covers the entire Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, and Cavite, as well as parts of Pampanga, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon. Including the metropolis, most of the said areas are among the country’s vote-rich provinces.

Energy Usec. Felix William Fuentebella told lawmakers during budget deliberations last year that the Luzon Grid, the largest of the country’s three power networks, will need reserves of at least 1,500MW to ensure there are no power interruptions during the polls.

The power giant last conducted a CSP in February last year.