The Luzon Grid was placed on yellow alert for seven hours Tuesday due to insufficient generation capacity as several power plants went offline, system operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said.
For its part, the Energy Department stated it is closely monitoring the power supply situation in Luzon following the forced shutdown of the 122-megawatt South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp. coal-fired power plant and the 300-M Block B of the Ilijan natural gas-fired power plant.
The NGCP issued the yellow alert notice from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. of July 19.
As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, the Luzon Grid’s available capacity stood at 9,981 MW, while the demand reached some 9,479 MW.
“The Luzon Grid went on yellow alert due to lower level contingency reserves brought about by insufficient power supply,” the NGCP said.
Power distributor Manila Electric Co. coordinated with its Interruptible Load Program participants to augment the supply.
As of 11:30 a.m., some 158 customers expressed commitment to deload a total of 320 MW.
“The DoE constantly reminds the public to practice energy efficiency and conservation measures,” the department said.
Meralco said the following plants remain to be out: Pagbilao 2 (382 MW), Malaya 1 (300 MW), Malaya 2 (350 MW) and Angat Main 2 (50 MW). Calaca 1, on the other hand, is still limited to 180 MW output (out of 200 MW).
As a result of the unavailable capacity, Meralco said, net reserve in the Luzon Grid at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday stood at 245 MW and 64 MW, respectively.
Meralco said it has advised customers under the Interruptible Load Program to use their own generator sets should the need arise.