Typhoon 'Rolly' left Bicol Region without power Sunday after strong winds toppled several transmission lines, according to the National Electrification Administration.
The NEA said in a report as of 8 a.m. Sunday that power restoration was ongoing in Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon and Ticao Island in Masbate.
The Department of Energy said it was on full alert and united in ensuring the security of supply and facilities.
It said the Task Force on Energy Resiliency was closely coordinating with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Operations Center and all energy industry members for timely updates on the weather situation and the status of energy facilities and systems, including emerging problems that could impact the supply of energy in affected areas.
Several power plants were also on emergency shutdown. According to the DOE, Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp.’s Unit 1 (150 MW) went on emergency shutdown at 9:25 p.m. on Oct. 31 because of boiler tube leak, while the Bacman geothermal power plant (140 MW) Unit 1 was also put on emergency shutdown as a preemptive measure. Unit 2 was put on house load.
The Ilijan power plant in Batangas with a capacity of 1,200 MW went on plant shutdown at 1035 a.m. Sunday a contingency measure to avoid plant damage or sudden disconnection from the grid.
Meanwhile, grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said eight 230-kV lines remained unavailable.
“NGCP has implemented all necessary preparations and precautions to minimize the impact on transmission operations and facilities, as well as the reliability of communications equipment; availability of hardware materials and supplies necessary for the repair of damages to facilities; and the positioning of line crews in strategic areas, to facilitate immediate restoration work,” the DOE said.
Among the transmission lines affected in southern part of Luzon were Gumaca-Lopez-Tagkawayan 69kV Line, Labo-Paracale 69kV Line, Labo-Talisay 69kV Line, Naga-Libmanan 69kV Line, Naga-Lagonoy 69kV Line, Naga-Tinambac 69kV Line, Naga-Concepcion 69kV Line, Naga-Iriga 69kV Lina, Daraga-Sorsogon 69kV Line, Sorsogon-Bulan 69kV Line, Sorsogon-Sorsogon 69kV Line, Ligao-Dunao 69kV Line, Daraga-Ligao 69kV Line, Tiwi-Malinao-Tabaco 69kV Line, Daraga-Legazpi 69kV Line and Daraga-Sto. Domingo 69kV Line.
“Inspection and restoration of lines in the affected areas will be in full swing as soon as the weather allows,” NGCP said.
It said the loss of power might have been be caused by affected transmission facilities of NGCP or distribution facilities of local distribution utilities or electric cooperatives.
State-run National Power Corp. said it was continuously conducting intensive monitoring and analysis and disseminating pertinent dam discharge warning information to the public and all concerned agencies.
The DOE said the Ambuklao Dam in Bokod, Benguet started spilling operation but water discharge was not expected to cause flooding in the flood warning zone.
The Binga dam in Itogon, Benguet also conducted spilling operation but the dam discharge would also not cause flooding in the area.
The San Roque Dam in San Manuel, Pangasinan; Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan; and the Caliraya Dam in Lumban, Laguna are in normal operations.
In Mindanao, the Agus 4 (Lanao del Norte) and Pulangi 4 (Maramag, Bukidnon) facilities also conducted spilling operations.
The DOE said there was sufficient supply of petroleum products based on the Minimum Inventory Requirement in the affected regions which is equivalent to 22 days’ worth of supplies.
“Rest assured that we are continuously monitoring the situation, and we are working together with other energy stakeholders to see to it that our energy facilities remain operational as much as possible,” the DOE said.
“In the meantime, we urge the public to report any downed utility lines to the proper authorities in their areas. Let us remain vigilant to ensure the safety of our loved ones,” the agency said.