Red alert: Power reserves hit zero

THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) yesterday went on red alert as the Mindanao power grid lost any contingency reserve, and as the island’s power supply deficiency dropped by 30 mw.

Aggravating the problem is the shutdown of one of the power generation units of the AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South Inc. on Tuesday.

Elizabeth Ladaga, one of NGCP’s spokespersons, said she was unaware of the shutdown of one of Therma South’s power generation units.

Ladaga however confirmed that the Mindanao grid has been placed under red alert from 9 am to 9 pm yesterday due to “zero contingency.”

She said available records at the NGCP showed a power supply deficiency of 30 mw in Mindanao.

Ladaga said this was due to the reduced generation capability of the Agus hydroelectric power system in Lanao.

“Most likely, it’s because of the El Niño phenomenon,” Ladaga told the Gold Star Daily.

Aboitiz Power Corp. executive Wilfredo Rodolfo III said one of the Therma South’s 150-mw units has to undergo a 10-day emergency shutdown that took effect 12 noon Tuesday.

Rodolfo said a second second 150-mw unit would remain operational.

Rodolfo said the shutdown was implemented “to address problems in the power plant, [and] to prevent it from recurring in the future.”

He said, “The emergency shutdown was made to address the potential problem seen in the boiler before it affects the overall operation of the power plant. If we do not address this problem now, it may occur and cause us bigger problems in the future. So it is prudent and better to address the situation promptly.”

The 10-day shutdown means the power supply in Mindanao would be 130-mw lesser, adversely affecting over 20 electric cooperatives and distribution utilities that are customers with Therma South.

The Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co. (Cepalco) has a 20-mw contract with Therma South.