By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent
THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) yesterday blamed a man from Marawi City for “aggravating” the Mindanao power crisis this week.
The Mindanao grid lost nearly 30 mw because the man, identified as Mitmug Dimaampao of Agus, Marawi City, barred linemen from fixing a line within his property, the NGCP said.
An NGCP executive who requested anonymity said Dimaampao “aggravated” the power deficiency in Mindanao with his alleged refusal to cooperate by allowing the NGCP to conduct line maintenance and repair activities within his Marawi property.
As a result, NGCP said, almost 30 mw supplied by the Agus 1 hydroelectric plant was isolated from the Mindanao grid.
The NGCP said the Agus plant was isolated from the grid when the Agus 2 and Agus 1 138-kv tie line tripped. Repair could not be made immediately because of the “uncooperative landowner.”
The tie line was finally energized at the Agus 2 switchyard side at 11:37 am. The tie line is operated and maintained by the state-owned National Power Corp., and private concessionaire grid operator NGCP assisted in the efforts to restore the power.
The NGCP said Dimaampao is the same landowner who earlier barred NGCP linemen from entering the property to cut trees which obstruct transmission lines.
In a statement, the NGCP reiterated its appeal for public cooperation, and warned that with the current power situation, the isolation of any power plant from the Mindanao grid may result in more power load curtailment especially during peak hours.
It said right-of-way violations along transmission lines compromise not just public safety but also the security of the Mindanao power grid.
The Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co. (Cepalco) has implemented a two-day power load shedding schedule in the city starting on Monday due to the Mindanao power shortage. It meant four hours of rotating blackouts in the city.
Marilyn Chavez, Cepalco spokesperson, said the power load shedding schedule was supposed to be followed until yesterday.
Chavez however said she could not say if the situation would improve today.
“We’re still waiting for advice from NGCP,” said Chavez.
Cepalco senior vice president Ralph Paguio said the power situation in Mindanao has worsened because of the receding water level of Lake Lanao, Mindanao’s primary source of hydroelectric power.
Paguio quoted the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management-National Power Corp. (Psalm-Napocor) sas saying that the lake’s water level has reached critical level, slowing down the generation capacity of the Agus hydrolectric system.
Paguio said the effects of the power deficiency here have been cushioned by Minergy, an independent power producer and Cepalco’s sister company. (with reports from hussein macatoro)
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