DOE-7 assures enough power in CV this week

CEBU, Philippines - While earlier reports warned that Cebu is bound to suffer a four-day power shortage this week, the Department of Energy has assured that the power supply in Central Visayas is sufficient despite being under a yellow alert status.

DOE-7 regional director Antonio Labios told The Freeman that despite the yellow alert status, Cebu and other parts of the region are not likely to experience a power shortage this week.

He said Luzon can supply the region with at least 200 mw, assuring the public that no power shortage or red alert status will be experienced anytime this week.

On Monday, the region had a supply of 1,642 megawatts and 1,558 mw of demand, with the reserve ranging from 88-119 mw everyday.

“Since naa man tay reserve that does not mean nga mawad-an ta og kuryente,” (Since we have a reserve, that does not mean that there will be power outage) he noted.

Yesterday’s power situation outlook of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has showed that Visayas power capacity is 1,600 mw while the demand is 1,578 mw, having a energy reserve of 22 mw.

Meanwhile, two power plants that were shut down last week have already operated again but another plant of the Panay Energy Development Corporation shutdown Monday.

Those plants of the Cebu Energy Development Corportation and PEDC were restored last week: “Fortunately, within that time frame outlook, those plants have already gone online.”

The DOE is hoping the plant currntly on shutdown will start operating this week to regain the normal supply of energy in the Visayas region.

Labios explained that a scheduled shutdown happens when the plant is having trouble and that they should cut power to prevent the plant from incurring more damage.

The effects of shutdown include the decrease of the power reserve specifically the contingency reserve.

In addition, the energy director has encouraged investors to invest more in the power generation sector to generate more power plants, saying the department’s objective now is really to maintain the reserve.

He cited in the past months the demand for power in Visayas reached to 1,300 to 1,400 mw per day. And now the agency has been trying to meet the demand of 1,500 to 1,600 mw everyday.

Labios also said that every year the demand for power has been increasing because of the rise of economic activities, emphasizing the need for the country to have more power supply in the coming years. (FREEMAN)