Napocor moves to stabilize power supply in Mindanao

State-run National Power Corp. said it has started to strictly enforce key measures that would ensure the stability of water supply for the operation of the Agus and Pulangui hydropower complexes in Mindanao.

The move was critical as this would allow Napocor to ensure adequate power supply on the island especially during the upcoming elections in May. The two hydropower facilities supply the bulk of the electricity requirements in Mindanao.

“We have already put in place key measures to manage the water supply in Lake Lanao and are taking steps to maximize our power generation to assure adequate supply of power to our customers in Mindanao,” Napocor president Froilan A. Tampinco said in a statement issued Friday.

According to Napocor, one of the measures included the strict observance of the so-called operating rule curve, which “entails maximizing water use and careful management of water inflow and outflow to the lake that powers Napocor’s hydropower plants, which account for about 40 percent of electric supply in Mindanao.”

Napocor also targets to operate its Power Barge 104 and the power plants of its independent power producers at full capacities to augment the volume of capacity it can supply to the distribution utilities and electric cooperatives in Mindanao.

Napocor can supply a total of 1,071 megawatts to Mindanao during peak hours, slightly higher than its current contractual obligations of 924 MW. While there is a small buffer, Napocor still encouraged utilities, electric co-ops and other large and direct customers to sign more bilateral contracts with other third party power-generation companies to ensure supply.