DOE-Mindanao: Effects of El Niño unavoidable
By Cheneen R. Capon
Mindanao is in danger of being plunged into darkness once again as the looming El Niño threatens to affect the supply of power coming from the Agus Hydro Power Plant Complexes in Lanao del Norte.
Department of Energy-Mindanao Field Office (DOE-MFO) senior science research specialist for renewable energy management section Rolando J. Fara-on told Edge Davao yesterday that the capacity of the hydroelectric power plants might suffer from low water levels of Lake Lanao due to the expected drought.
“We cannot avoid the effect of El Niño because Mindanao’s power generation mix is 51 percent from hydro,” Fara-on said.
He said he is hoping the water in the reservoir will not reach the critical level.
Mindanao was hit by power crises in 2010 and 2013 due to drought.
At the same time, he said the commissioning of the first 150MW of the Aboitiz-owned Therma South, Inc. (TSI) and the operation of the Mindanao’s largest coal-fired power plant of Steag State Power Inc. will help ease the power situation.
According to the DOE, Mindanao’s peak demand is at 1,300 MW.
Government weather station PAGASA had earlier announced that there is a 60 to 70 percent chance that a “weak” El Niño is expected to start by next month.
It will probably result in less rainfall in the next few weeks until July.
