DOE Continues Monitoring Amid Red and Yellow Alerts in Luzon and Visayas
April 18, 2024 - Amid a period of extreme heat and record-high electricity usage, the Department of Energy (DOE) continues to closely monitor and coordinate with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and all generation companies. Power supply conditions have remained tight since Tuesday, April 16, 2024, resulting in the issuance of Red and Yellow Alerts in the Luzon grid and Yellow Alerts in the Visayas grid.
The DOE extends its gratitude to all stakeholders in the power sector for their ongoing cooperation in minimizing or avoiding power interruptions despite the Red Alerts. The Interruptible Load Program (ILP) of the distribution utilities (DUs) has also significantly contributed to this effort. In the Meralco franchise area, the ILP participants, comprised of large private users with their own generating units, contributed around 300.
The DOE reiterates its call for everyone’s cooperation in minimizing power consumption, especially during peak hours for the remainder of the hot season. As previously noted, the extremely high temperatures have been affecting the operations of power plants in the grid. The DOE is also coordinating with the concerned generation companies for the return to service of power plants under forced outage. At the same time, all parties are reminded of their compliance with the Grid Operating and Maintenance Program (GOMP).
Based on the NGCP’s monitoring, both the Luzon and Visayas grids reached all-time high peak demands for the year so far. The peak demand in Luzon was recorded at 13,222 MW yesterday, April 17, 2024, at 2:48 PM, while the Visayas grid reached a peak demand of 2,525 MW at 3:34 PM.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recorded the highest heat index level of 44 degrees Celsius in Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Aborlan, Palawan; and Catarman, Northern Samar, yesterday, April 17, 2024.
Today’s forecast shows that Luzon and Visayas will experience high heat indexes ranging from 42 degrees to 45 degrees today, with areas affected including Aborlan, Palawan at 45 degrees, Dagupan City, Pangasinan at 44 degrees, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan at 44 degrees, and Catarman, Northern Samar at 44 degrees.
For the third consecutive day, a notice of Red Alert was issued, this time from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM, and Yellow Alerts from 1 PM - 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM, and 10:00 PM - 11 PM in the Luzon Grid. The Visayas Grid will also experience Yellow Alert from hours 1 PM - 9:00 PM.
The DOE continues to monitor the situation and will provide further updates as necessary. The department remains committed to ensuring the stability of the country’s power supply during this challenging period.