Central Visayas power supply to suffice despite prolonged dry spell

CEBU, Philippines - The prevailing El Niño may not have a significant impact on the power supply in Visayas as it does not rely much on hydro sources, an official from the Department of Energy (DoE) said.

Saul Gonzales, chief of DoE-Visayas’ Energy Industry Management Division, said yesterday the Visayas will have ample energy supply in the immediate future.

 While the El Niño phenomenon, predicted to be one of the worst on record, is seen to increase electricity consumption, Gonzales said the region’s power grid can meet the demand.

 “Based on our projection, energy supply will be sufficient only that reserves will be thin through the end of the year,” Gonzales told The FREEMAN in an interview.

 DOE Regional Director Antonio Labios had said last June that power reserves were seen to be lower through year’s end. However, he had assured that the power situation was stable unless any power plant would went down.

 Based on the daily outlook of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) as of yesterday afternoon, the Visayas grid had a supply of 1696 megawatts (MW) against a 1328-MW demand, leaving a reserve of 368 MW.

 Gonzales explained the ideal power reserve is at least 200 MW but there are times it would go down from that figure.

 DoE said a normal supply should mean that the reserve can satisfy the demand.

 The thin power reserve seen later in November and December is due to the expected rise in demand during the Christmas season and increase in economic activity, Gonzales said. 

 In case the Visayas will experience deficiency, the energy official said the Luzon grid can cover it up.

 He said the fact that the Visayas only has a small reliance on hydro power should ease worries that El Niño would have a big impact on its power supply.

 He said that about half of energy supply in the region are sourced from geothermal plants. Aside from geothermal, the region also gets its power from coal, natural gas and oil-based plants; and other renewable sources such as biomass, solar and wind. 

 Gonzales added that new power plants will come in early and in the middle of next year and will be expected to boost supply.

 Meanwhile, state weather bureau PAGASA has predicted the El Niño to worsen in the latter part of this year and early next year.  (FREEMAN)