MANILA – Red alert looms anew in the Luzon and Visayas grids, nearly a month since these grids were put under this status.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) placed the Luzon grid under red alert from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m., while the Visayas grid was put under the same status between 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m.
The last time the red alert status was declared in the Luzon grid was on April 24, and the Visayas grid on April 26.
A yellow alert status was also declared in the Luzon grid from noon to 1 p.m., 5 to 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. to midnight.
For the Visayas grid, a yellow alert will be experienced from noon to 2 p.m., 4 to 6 p.m., and 7 to 10 p.m.
The Luzon grid has an available capacity of 13,351 megawatts, with a peak demand of 13,597 MW, while the Visayas grid has an available capacity of 2,588 MW and a peak demand of 2,537 MW.
“NGCP may implement Manual Load Dropping (MLD) in the following areas today, 23 May, to maintain the integrity of the power system,” the grid operator said.
The possible MLD may affect some electric cooperatives in Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Pangasinan, Bataan, Tarlac, Lipa City, Sorsogon, and Albay.
For its part, the Manila Electric Company said it stands ready to implement interruptible load program (ILP) to help manage the electricity demand on Thursday.
"Following the declaration of red and yellow alerts today, May 23, Meralco already advised the interruptible load program participants for their de-loading commitments to help ease and manage the demand in the Luzon power grid,” Meralco spokesman and head of corporate communications Joe Zaldarriaga said.
"We again urge the public to continue practicing energy conservation and efficiency measures as a way to help in contributing to demand side management," he added. (PNA)
