DOE fasttracks repair of damaged power grid

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) is scrambling to rehabilitate energy facilities and to normalize power supply following two typhoons that entered the Philippines this Christmas season.

DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi has directed the energy family to observe energy resiliency measures to combat the adverse effects of Severe Tropical Storm Vinta.

“The DOE assures the public that the energy family will work together on a 24/7 basis to immediately secure and normalize the energy supply in the STS Vinta-affected areas,” he said.

According to the weather bureau PAGASA, the maximum sustained winds of STS Vinta reached 65 kilometers/hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 110 kph. The center of the storm has traversed the vicinity of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, compromising power facilities in the franchise areas of electric cooperatives in nearby provinces.

“We are coordinating with electric cooperatives and other energy stakeholders in the affected areas through the Inter-Agency Task Force on Securing Energy Facilities (IATFSEF). We continuously monitor developments and reports so that we can mobilize our assets to assist the most affected households and stakeholders in the storm-hit areas,” Cusi said.

For the transmission sector, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that the affected energy facilities are the Paranas-Quinapondan 69kv Line affecting Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative, San Francisco-Tandag 69kv Line, which affected Surigao del Sur II Electric Cooperative,Bislig-Cateel-Baganga 69kv Line, which which affected Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative, and the Jasaan-Kinoguitan 69kv Line.