DOE targets fewer Visayas power alerts within a month

Local

THE Department of Energy (DOE) expects power supply conditions in the Visayas to improve within the next month as it rolls out measures aimed at reducing the recurring yellow and red alerts that have affected consumers and businesses across the region.

DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said the agency recognizes the impact of the power situation on households and economic activities and is moving quickly to address the issue.

“We do understand na maraming po talagang yellow tsaka red alert and it is affecting hindi lang po sa negosyo kundi pati po ang household natin, day-to-day lives of our consumers,” Garin said.

While some local government units are considering declaring an energy emergency, Garin said the DOE will support such a move if deemed necessary by local officials.

“Kung sa palagay po ng local government makakatulong po ang pag-declare ng energy emergency or emergency powers nila then we can support that activity, pero depende po yan kung anong assessment po ng LGU,” she said.

The energy secretary emphasized that the national government is already implementing solutions and is not waiting for an emergency declaration before acting.

Undersecretary Mario Marasigan said the Visayas grid continues to face tight power reserves due to outages in several major generating units.

To help stabilize the grid, the DOE is banking on the return of several power plants and the deployment of alternative energy technologies.

Marasigan said KEPCO Unit 3 has already resumed operations, while TVI Units 1 and 2 and PEDC Unit 3 are still awaiting restoration.

The agency is also working to add around 260 MW of capacity through alternative technologies to help prevent future yellow alerts.

“Mayroon tayong 260 MW na additional technologies na maiprovide natin sa Visayas para ma-avert lang po yung yellow alert system natin,” Marasigan said.

Among the power plants expected to return to service, PEDC Unit 3 is now scheduled to come back online on July 6. PEDC Unit 2 is targeted for August 22, while Unit 1 is expected to resume operations by August 30.

Garin said the DOE is coordinating with power industry stakeholders to ensure that supply conditions improve and disruptions to businesses and consumers are minimized in the coming months.(MyTVCebu)