The Energy Department said it is preparing measures to ensure the adequate and reliable power supply once the enhanced community quarantine is lifted by May 15.
“As we have prepared for this COVID-19 to make sure we have enough supply, we are now working together with the industry players. I thank them for their full cooperation, when the economy restarts because the demand will be increasing,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in an interview on ANC.
“We want to make sure that all power plants will be operating and those that have been projected to be online let’s say in June will be able to come in even if there are little delays so during this time we are already preparing for the post-lockdown or the post-ECQ to make sure we can support the economy and the demand of the different industries,” Cusi said.
Cusi said the department should make sure that energy is sufficient to support the demand in restarting the economy.
“When restarting, demand is higher, so we are meeting to prepare for the post ECQ,” the energy chief said.
He said the agency should come out with new working standards for the “new normal” amid the persistent threat of the coronavirus disease.
“We need to set the working standard or protocol for the new normal. Health protocol must be observed by all,” Cusi said.
“Certain rules and policies we need to amend and navigating this new normal, we have to be very careful and watchful. We are now crafting the new standard for the energy family,” he said.
Cusi said power demand declined as much as 30 percent in Luzon in the wake of the ECQ.
He said there is currently enough supply with the anticipated higher demand during the dry season. “We have more than enough supply for the entire country. Mindanao has around 42 percent [reserves] and Visayas has something like 32, overall. We have a little over 30 percent for the entire country,” Cusi said.
