Power supply seen stable in next two months

The power supply situation in Luzon will be “stable” in the next eight weeks with a gross reserve of at least 1,350 megawatts in generating capacity available at the time of the year when demand peaks, according to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

“Demand is forecast to peak this year in the week of May 13 to 19 at 9,870 MW,” said Fidel D. Dagsaan, head of NGCP’s power network planning division.

Dagsaan said in a press briefing that available generating capacity was 11,220 MW and this did not yet include new capacity that might go online during summer.

According to the Department of Energy, at least two generators—both from the San Miguel group and representing a combined capacity of 300 MW —were expected to start commercial operation in the next two months.

Dagsaan said that electricity demand in Luzon has peaked— for this year so far—at 9,549 MW last week.

“Last year, demand from Luzon peaked at 9,726 MW in the third week of April,” he said. “This means an increase of 8.9 percent from the 8,928 MW peak demand in 2015.”

Also, the forecast peak demand for 2017 represented an increase of 1.5 percent over last year’s actual reading.

NGCP spokesperson Cynthia P. Alabanza said the power supply situation was better in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“Demand in Mindanao usually peaks in December and in the Visayas it is still another time of the year,” Alabanza said. “The situation is different from Luzon. Mindanao even has an oversupply.”