DOE sees fewer Visayas grid alerts as power plants set to return

Local

THE Visayas power grid could see a significant improvement in supply reliability in the coming weeks as several generating units are scheduled to return to operation, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin said Monday, Aug. 24.

Garin said the return of offline power plants, combined with planned battery energy storage projects, could cut the frequency of yellow and red alerts in the region by at least half.

Among the generating units expected to come back are KSPC Unit 1, with 105 megawatts (MW), which is targeted to resume operations within the week, followed by Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) Unit 1 with 169 MW and Cebu Energy Development Corp. Unit 1 with about 135 MW.

“Parating po ang power, it's unfortunate na may mga nasi-sira, pero meron po nag-assure na po itong mga companies na to na they will be back on track na (Power is coming. Unfortunately, some facilities have encountered breakdowns, but these companies have assured us that they will be back on track.),” Garin said during the DOE online briefing.

DOE Undersecretary Mario Marasigan said the Visayas remains under close monitoring as available capacity continues to fall short of projected demand during peak periods.

For Monday, the region's afternoon demand was expected to hit 2,508 MW, while available supply stood at only 2,326 MW. This prompted a red alert from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., following a yellow alert from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Another yellow alert was expected between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., with evening demand projected at 2,401 MW against only 1,874 MW in local capacity.

For the rest of the week, Marasigan said afternoon demand could reach 2,629 MW, compared with 2,446 MW in available supply. The evening outlook is more favorable, with demand at 1,836 MW against 2,404 MW in supply.

The tight supply situation was partly attributed to outages and maintenance involving TVI Units 1 and 2 and Cebu Energy Development Corp. Unit 1, which is undergoing a major engine overhaul.

KSPC was also taken offline following a boiler tube leak last Saturday. Marasigan said the unit's return is targeted for Aug. 28, although it could be restored earlier following coordination with the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

As an immediate measure, the DOE has instructed NGCP to negotiate for 253 MW of battery energy storage capacity in Leyte, Cebu, Panay and Negros.

Garin said the government has also identified four locations for battery projects to help stabilize the regional grid.

“Kasi pag natuloy itong mga projects na to, at matuloy din itong mga batteries, at the minimum 50% less na ang mga yellow and red alerts doon sa Visayas (Because if these projects push through, along with the battery systems, we expect at least a 50% reduction in yellow and red alerts in the Visayas),” she said.

The DOE is likewise studying the deployment of liquid-fuel facilities, including the possible transfer of a power barge from Navotas to Cebu, where it could be connected near the Naga power facilities.(MyTVCebu)