(Maria Patricia C. Borromeo/davaotoday.com file photo)
TAGUM CITY — A Mindanao-based power monitoring body assured that there will be stable power supply on May 9, in time for the country’s national and local elections.
The Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC) on Friday, May 6, said that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure that sufficient power supply in Mindanao during and after May elections.
The said measures, according to MPMC, was in accordance to Department Circular No. 2016-01-001 released by the Department of Energy (DOE) which created the Power Task Force Election (PTFE) 2016.
“However, in the case of Mindanao, the PTFE adjusted the period to start May 6 instead of May 2 considering that hydro power plants, Mindanao’s major source of power supply are still struggling from El Niño-induced generation shortfall,” said Romeo Montenegro, head of the MPMC Technical Working Group and director of the MinDA Investment Promotions and Public Affairs Office.
The MPMC was also deputized “to primarily provide and maintain stable and continuous nationwide electric power requirements on May 2, 2016 until the termination or conclusion of the canvassing of votes and the proclamation of the winning candidates.”
Montenegro assured that at least three days before and three days after the polls there will be a steady power supply. “But we urge vigilance as toppling of transmission towers can pose power supply disruption and subsequent service interruption.”
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that the Mindanao Grid’s available capacity or supply is expected to be 1,736 megawatts (MW) from May 8 to 10. Gross reserves of the island is also expected to be at 383 MW on May 8, around 373 MW on May 9, and 254 MW on May 10.
“The increase in the available capacity will be made possible with the measures implemented by the members of the PTFE like increasing the water outflow of the Agus and Pulangi Hydropower plants and the postponement of planned maintenance shutdown of some power generators prior, during, and after the elections,” Montenegro said. (davaotoday.com)
