Luzon grid on yellow alert

MANILA, Philippines — The Luzon grid was placed on yellow alert yesterday over insufficient power reserves due to the eruption of Taal Volcano.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) raised the alert from 10:01 a.m. to 11 a.m., 1:01 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5:01 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A yellow alert means there are not enough reserves to cover the largest running generating unit at the time but does not necessarily lead to power outages.

Energy Undersecretary Felix William cited downed plants and line curtailments.

“We have limited generation from some power plants in the south due to transmission line constraints caused by unavailability of transmission lines affected by ashfalls,” DOE Assistant Secretary Redentor Delola said.

The 647-megawatt Unit 1 of Sual power plant and 57-MW Unit 5 of Tiwi power plant went on forced shutdown.

Several power plants are operating at a derated capacity, with total deration of 441 MW due to ashfalls.

Some power plants are running on limited capacities due to transmission line constraints, with total limitation of 1,938 MW.

The NGCP said several transmission facilities in Batangas, Laguna and Cavite were affected by ashfall,  resulting in the outage of three 500-kiloVolt lines and two 230-kV lines.

“As soon as the situation is deemed safe, line crews will be mobilized to inspect and clean critical line equipment,” the NGCP said.

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 4, which means hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days.