An official of the Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed on Monday that there are no forecasted yellow and red alerts in Mindanao particularly in the upcoming May polls.
DOE explained that a red alert indicates that the power supply is inadequate to satisfy consumer demand, while a yellow alert denotes a decrease in the power supply operating margin, which may result in brownouts.
Engineer Mark Christian Marollano, Supervising Science Research Specialist of DOE-Electric Power Industry Management Bureau (EPIMB), emphasized that Mindanao has enough reserve throughout the year.
“That is why in our outlook, Mindanao doesn’t have forecasted any yellow or red alert for 2025 especially during election. Dahil sapat naman yung supply na kuryente at hindi naman ganoon kataas yun demand,” Marollano said during the Power101 Series held at Seda BGC in Taguig City, Manila.
Marollano also added that based on DOE’s short-term forecast, it is anticipating a potential yellow alert in Luzon next month, which is attributed not only to the election but also to high temperatures and supply concerns.
He said DOE is closely monitoring the supply this coming election due to the availability of two powerplants namely Excellent Energy Resources Inc. (EERI) and South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC) that are expected to deliver 2,500 megawatts (MW) starting May 15.
SPPC is supplying 1,350 MW, whereas EERI is offline because of technical problems with its 500 kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), delaying its reactivation.
“This is expected to be available, especially this coming summer but because of the construction and development delays we are seeing a possible yellow alert in May, especially during the election,” Marollano said.
Marollano assured that they are closely monitoring with the stakeholders and conducted meetings with the Energy Task Force Election to monitor the development and preparation for the upcoming May polls.
“All generation, transmission, and distribution are on board and closely monitoring all activities to ensure hindi tayo magkaka-problema this coming election. During an election, it is a holiday, as mentioned mababa yung power demand but that’s on election day ang crucial kasi is yung the day after, yung bilangan,” he said.
Marollano explained that part of the role of the task force is to closely monitor the power sector seven days before, during, and after the election to ensure that there is no problem in the power sector.
“Not only on the power sector but also on the oil sector ay mino-monitor ng task force,” he said.
Meanwhile, Marollano said part of the ETFE activities in preparation for the upcoming election is directing the power sector to ensure enough and reliable power supply before, during, and after the election.
“For the side of the generators, may mga planta kasi naka schedule for maintenance, in case meron silang naka-schedule for maintenance, it’s all suspended temporarily within seven days, before, during, and after election, same with transmission and distribution if meron silang repair or maintenance naiconduct, i-postpone na muna nila yun maintenance and repair activities. On the distribution side, coordinating with DUs to ensure there won’t be any problems,” he said.
