DOE assures: No brownouts during 2022 elections

NGCP power lines (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) assured lawmakers on Thursday that there would be no power outages before, during, and after the May 2022 National Elections as power reserves for the Luzon grid will not go below 1,500 megawatts.

Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said during the DOE’s budget deliberations at the House of Representatives that initial assessments from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) did not show any problems that the country may encounter during the election period.

“As far as 2022 Luzon power outlook is concerned, the Department of Energy reiterates that we have enough supply, this is based on the first initial run from the NGCP, at sa forecast po ang magiging kalagayan ng kuryente sa taong 2022, makikita natin sa initial forecast na ito ay sapat, wala pong yellow alert, at wala pong power interruption sa kadahilanan ng supply,” Fuentebella said.

“We are going to prepare — based on the department circular issued by Secretary (Alfonso) Cusi on the Task Force Election, and the Task Force Election includes not only [DOE] but all those involved in making sure that we have 24/7 supply including during the election period,” he added.

According to Fuentebella, power reserves during the weeks before, during, and after the elections would not go below 1,500 megawatts (MW), which is still above the yellow alert status.

“We have presented the graph as far as week 19 of 2022, we have around 1,800 (megawatts of) reserves, so sobra po ‘yong supply.  For week 20, we have around 1,500 reserves, for week 21, still 1,500 megawatts and week 22, around 1,700 megawatts of reserves,” he explained.

“All of which are above the yellow line, meaning no yellow alert and no expected power interruption based on supply.  For week 36, this is around September, ito po ‘yong medyo mababa rin, pero nasa taas pa rin ng yellow line, we have around 1,400 of megawatts of supply,” he noted.

Fuentebella made the assurance after he was quizzed by Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate on potential power woes during the elections, which would be operated on an automated basis — therefore needing electricity.

Power outages have been a problem of the past elections, as it coincides with the summer season which is a time where power consumption peaks.

If power problems do happen, Zarate said that it would compound other problems that stem from elections being held amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As we know Mr. Chair, we would be facing next year a very unprecedented election, during the time of a pandemic, and I don’t want to maliitin it, mahirap po kasi na magkaka-brown out talaga sa panahon ng eleksyon,” Zarate said.

But Fuentebella maintained that they are not seeing any possible problem — and if such issues existed, personnel from DOE, the distribution companies, and other transmission groups are ready to respond.

“Again just to reiterate, no yellow alert, meaning no power interruption based on supply but nonetheless, if there are issues on the ground, the distribution utilities, and our transmission group linemen are on the ground to respond to any eventuality or any scenario,” he said.

Previously, Energy Secretary Cusi maintained that there would be enough power supply for the 2022 elections.  However, Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed concerns on the thin power supply come election time, supposedly basing on an admission made by Fuentebella himself.

READ: Enough power supply for 2022 elections—DOE

READ: DOE projection of low power supply in 2022 worrisome – Hontiveros #