MERALCO calls for more Interruptible Load Program participants

MERALCO power lines

The Manila Electric Co. (MERALCO) is urging the businesses in its franchise area to join its interruptible load program (ILP) to help soften the blow whenever supply deficiency and power interruptions are imminent in the grid. 

In a statement, MERALCO said that 72 businesses enrolled in its ILP have been “instrumental in ensuring the continuous supply of electricity” in the MERALCO franchise area during the declaration of red alert within the Luzon Grid last September 12. 

“Through their help, no Manual Load Dropping was implemented, effectively sparing other Meralco customers from experiencing rotating brownouts,” MERALCO said in a statement to the media. 

The ILP is a demand-side management program by the Department of Energy (DOE) and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) where enrolled participants will be asked to temporarily de-load from the grid and make use of their generator sets in times of supply deficiency. 

MERALCO said that its ILP customers were able to de-load around 298 megawatts (MW) from the grid. 

Currently, there are 121 companies enrolled in the ILP, which is around 582 megawatts (MW). 

“We continue to call on more participants, and to those who are not yet eligible—to exercise prudence in the usage of electricity,” MERALCO vice president and head of enterprise and national government Engr. Ma. Cecilia Domingo said.