DOE assures 24/7 power supply amid Luzon quarantine, project delays

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday assured a stable,  24/7 power supply as millions of Luzon residents are compelled to stay home while the region is under enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi made the assurance as delays hit the on-going construction and other activities in the energy sector after some foreign contractors and workers encountered travel difficulties due to the Luzon-wide quarantine.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi. INQUIRER PHOTO/JOHN PAUL R. AUTOR

“There are also issues on the late delivery of imported equipment and parts needed for energy facilities, generation, distribution projects, because of the slowdown in global production,” Cusi said in a statement.

“Hence, these may result in delays in the completion of on-going projects and repairs and further hinder energy-related investments,” he added.

President Duterte on Monday placed the entire Luzon under enhanced community quarantine until April 13, 2020 in a bid to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus in the country.

His order suspended public transportation and strictly enforced mandatory home quarantine.

The President’s order, according to Cusi, resulted in a reduction in electricity demand by around 30 percent which means that “most of the economic activities have slowed down.”

Nonetheless, the DOE chief assured the public that the agency will ensure that power  supply will be unhampered.

“The primordial concern right now is to defeat the novel Corona Virus Disease-2019 crisis. The DOE and the entire energy family is one in cooperating with the whole government,” Cusi said.

“We are committed to fully coordinate and provide 24/7 energy services that bring comfort to every home and all the institutions working to ensure our victory.”

The Philippines has 202 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths as of posting time.

GSG