National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, the operator of the power transmission network, placed the Luzon grid on yellow alert Thursday, reflecting the low power reserves as several plants and transmission facilities in southern Luzon were affected by Taal Volcano eruption.
More than 3,000 megawatts of capacity were not available Thursday because of power line constraints amid Taal eruption, limited operation of several plans and forced outages.
“We are still verifying the data from NGCP with the plants. We have limited generation from some of the power plants in the south due to transmission line constraints caused by the unavailability of some transmission lines affected by the ash fall from the taal eruption. One unit of Sual is also unavailable since yesterday due to forced outage,” Energy assistant secretary Redentor Delola said.
NGCP declared a yellow alert from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 5 p.m. To 7 p.m. on Thursday because of insufficient operating reserves.
This was due to the forced outage of two power plants with a combined capacity of 704 megawatts. These are Sual 1 (647 MW) and Tiwi 5 (57 MW).
Four power plants were operating below capacity with total deration of 441 MW. These included Calaca 1 (300 MW) at 234 MW, SCPC 2 (150 MW) at 140 MW, Kalayaan (720 MW) at 360 MW and SLPGC 2 (150 MW) at 145 MW.
Four power plants were on limited capacities because of line constraints that affected 1,938 MW. These were Group 3 (2,336 MW) at 838 MW and Ilijan (1,200 MW) at 760 MW. Group 3 plants include San Buenaventura, Quezon Power and Pagbilao.
The line constraints were due to the effects of the Taal eruption. Access to electric facilities within the danger zone around Taal Volcano was limited.
Power retailer Manila Electric Co. said that when a yellow alert is raised, the reserve power is low and the company is preparing contingency measures.
“In case of supply deficiency, corporations and commercial establishments participating under the Interruptible Load Program are ready to use their generator sets to help prevent/minimize incidents of power outage,” Meralco said.