Mindanao braces for the El Niño phenomenon boasting of a stable supply of power.
Thanks to the current energy mix and sufficient supply status of its Mindanao Grid, Mindanao will be free from the effects of long dry spell. The hydropower sources, according to the Mindanao Development Authority, is now accounted for 30 percent of Mindanao’s energy mix unlike five years ago when it was 50 percent, making the island’s power production vulnerable to environmental disturbances. Mindanao also enjoys the luxury of power surplus averaging 800 megawatts mostly coming from coal-fired power plants.
As reported by Edge Davao on Wednesday, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said the Mindanao grid has a reserve of 569 megawatts. This is an encouraging prospect considering that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported at least 17 provinces in Mindanao would be hit by a dry spell while 11 others will be affected by drought beginning end of April.
The areas to be affected by the dry spell are Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, North Cotabato, Saranga Agusan Del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Basilan and Lanao del Sur while the drought areas will be Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Misamis Occidental, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
In the summer where the temperatures could really go high in the 30s, there is an expected more water consumption than usual both in household and commercial-industrial use. Hence, despite the good news, everyone in Mindanao is still enjoined to help conserve as much water as they can.
It is everyone’s business to contribute to the efforts to temper the effects of the long dry spell.
