Visayas grid deficit due to shutdowns

The Visayas Grid experienced a shortfall Monday at the start of the past week during peak hours due to zero contingency reserve and generation deficiency.

As the System Operator, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) issued the grid operation notice to inform grid users of the existing system condition. A “Red Alert” will be issued when the contingency reserve is zero or a generation deficiency exists or if there is critical loading or imminent overloading of transmission lines or equipment.

The grid will experience a deficit of up to 220 megawatts (MW) during weekday peak hours with the shutdown of the 50-MW Cebu Thermal 1 Plant, the 120-MW Mahanagdong geothermal power plant in Leyte, and the 50-MW gas turbines of Salcon Power. The first two plants are under preventive maintenance shutdown to make way for maintenance works or repairs, which will improve power facilities and services.

Unit 2 of Mahanagdong is expected to be back online on February 8. Unit 1 will be back to the grid on February 16. Cebu Thermal, on the other hand, will be available starting February 23.

It is to be noted that NGCP does not own nor operate and maintain these power generation and the distribution facilities. As the System Operator, NGCP’s main responsibilities are to transmit power and operate the power system in accordance with the Philippine Grid Code.

To reduce the impact of would-be power interruptions among customers, the Luzon grid started augmenting 70 to 100 MW of power this morning to the Visayas grid and a total of 150 MW as of 2PM today. As of this writing, there were no brownouts experienced in the major cities in Cebu, Negros, and Panay islands yet. (By: Belinda Sales Canlas Corporate Communications Officer- Visayas)