THE Mindanao grid has remained on red alert despite the resumption of normal operations of the Steag State Power Inc. and Mt. Apo Geothermal plants that cushioned the impact of the lingering power crisis in the country’s second largest island.
The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said the power deficiency in Mindanao was reduced from 150 mw in Oct. 30 to 40 mw on Tuesday, following the return of the generating facilities of Steag and Mt. Apo plants in Misamis Oriental and Davao, respectively.
The NGCP website however showed that Mindanao had power reserves of 41 mw, a system capacity of 1,390 mw, and a system peak of 1,349 mw as of 1 pm yesterday.
In a statement, the NGCP said Mindanao’s power consumers would still experience power interruptions because of the deficiency but the duration of the blackouts would vary, depending on the distribution utilities.
Romeo Montenegro, Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) director and public affairs head, earlier sounded alarm bells over the receding water level of Lake Lanao, the primary source of hydroelectric power in the Mindanao grid, due to the insufficient amount of rainfall and the El Niño phenomenon.
He said the lake’s water level registered at 699.86 meters, nearing the critical level of 699.15 meters above sea level as of Oct. 30. The Agus plants would not be able to generate hydroelectric power below the critical level.
As this developed, the NGCP called for public support by reporting threats to its towers and power lines to avoid the repeat of the Oct. 29 bombings in Marawi that aggravated the volatile power situation.
Elizabeth Ladaga, NGCP spokesperson, said work is ongoing to restore the 138-kv Agus 2-Kibawe, Bukidnon line that was affected by the bombings in Patani, Marawi.
Ladaga said some 78 mw of power generated by the Agus 1 and Agus 2 plants were isolated by the bombing of two towers, incrasing the number of blackouts in many areas in Mindanao.
The Oct. 29 bombings, said Ladaga, brought to seven the number of NGCP towers toppled saboteurs this year alone.
She said the last two NGCP towers were bombed in Oct. 9, only three weeks from the Oct. 29 twin bombings.
“We are very concerned that this situation seems to be escalating,” NGCP said in a statement. “Another tower, Tower 21, was also bombed but fortunately, the structure was not toppled.”
Ladaga said that with the help of the local authorities, several other bombs were found on NGCP facilities but these did not detonate, and were safely disposed.
“NGCP is appealing to the public to help monitor the safety of the towers so that transmission services remain uninterrupted,” NGCP said. “If anyone sees anything suspicious at or around our towers and facilities, please inform us immediately.”
NGCP gave a hotline: 09178791077.
Ladaga said the NGCP was fully cooperating with law enforcement agencies that were investigating the bombings. She also assured that restoration efforts began as soon as the area was declared safe.
To hasten the restoration of transmission services to affected areas, she said, NGCP would attempt to energize its Baloi-Agus 2 line which was earlier disabled because of uncooperative landowners who prevented the firm from conducting vegetation clearing activities.
Ladaga said the military and police were assisting NGCP linemen as in entering the properties of uncooperative landowners to expedite the restoration work.
She said NGCP has repeatedly appealed to the government and the Army for assistance in resolving escalating security and right-of-way issues in Mindanao.
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