Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 2) — A power retail group is pushing for the implementation of an existing program of the government that will help address the rotational power outages being experienced in parts of Luzon.
Retail Electricity Suppliers Association President Warren Belvis told CNN Philippines’ The Final Word that the Department of Energy has the so-called Interruptible Load Program (ILP) – a voluntary, demand-side management program that allows participating customers to operate their generating sets and reduce their electricity demand from the grid.
“The program has been there, it just has to be activated, so anytime the distribution utility may call on participating customers to run their gen sets or shave off their demand during a certain period,” he explained. “It’s normally two hours and they will choose a period to participate, and demand is shaven off and extra power from self-generating facilities is injected into the grid.”
Belvis said they have been participating in the program since 2014. It has been proven effective during the dry season when demand for power is high as consumers use more of it to fight the heat, he added.
He also said the ILP covers the use of generators of establishments like malls and hotels.
On Monday, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) placed the Luzon power grid on red alert from 1 to 3 p.m., which meant rotational blackouts are expected to manage thin supply and growing demand. This continued the following day and was even extended to longer hours.
According to DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella, power supply in Luzon has reached a deficit of 200 megawatts, meaning the capacity of generators is not enough to cater demand that led to power interruptions. The NGCP said this may last until June 7.
The DOE is already looking into possible criminal liability on the part of power companies. Energy producers were given a week by the Energy Regulatory Commission to explain these unplanned shutdowns that exceeded the maximum allowable days per year.
