Energy authorities said the low capacity in the Visayas grid is expected to be addressed partly within the week with the expected resumption of operations of generating units of two major coal-fired power plants.
In an online briefing Monday, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin said the 169-megawatt (MW) Unit 2 of Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) and the 105-MW Unit 2 of Kepco SPC Power Corporation should return to service this week.
She said TVI’s 169-MW Unit 1 and Cebu Energy Development Corporation’s 82-MW Unit 1 are also scheduled to resume operations by September.
“Power will arrive. It’s unfortunate na may mga nasisira pero may nag-assure na sa mga companies na ito na they will be back on track na (It’s unfortunate that some have been damaged but these companies have assured that they will be back on track),” she added.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) issued a red alert status for the Visayas grid from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday due to inadequate power supply to address demand and grid’s regulating requirements.
A yellow is also in place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The alerts were issued Monday morning after the grid operator reported that available capacity is only around 2,312 MW while peak demand is projected to hit 2,395MW.
Garin said they are already in talks with the NGCP to install around 250-MW battery-powered facilities in Negros, Cebu, Leyte and Iloilo to boost capacity in the Visayas grid.
“Pag natuloy itong mga projects na ito at matuloy rin ang mga batteries, at the minimum 50 percent less na ang mga yellow alerts sa Visayas (If these projects are in place, and the batteries have been installed, yellow alerts in the Visayas will be reduced by minimum of 50 percent less),” she added. *PNA