NGCP asserts need for better resource planning after Panay power outage

MANILA, Philippines — Transmission service provider National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said on Wednesday that there must be better resource planning and a whole-of-industry approach to the country’s energy generation.

This came after Panay Island experienced a power outage on January 2, which the NGCP attributed to the “tripping of multiple power plants which isolated Panay Island from the rest of the Visayas grid.”

According to NGCP, authorities must ensure that there is “sufficient energy generation” for the islands in the country.

“The unscheduled maintenance shutdowns of the largest power plants in Panay Island were the primary cause of the power interruption. We emphasize the need for improved planning to ensure sufficient generation per island, with a well-balanced mix of fuels and technology,” NGCP said in its statement.

The company reported that on January 2, multiple power plants in Panay suffered trippings, including three of the largest power-generating units. Another planned maintenance shutdown of a plant also contributed to the outage.

The NGCP added that it will prevent voltage failure by matching loads to restored generation.

“We will be restoring loads conservatively by matching loads to restored generation to prevent repeated voltage failure. NGCP is ready to transmit power once it is available. The people must understand that we can only transmit power; we do not generate power,” it said.

The company added that authorities review the Philippine Grid Code to look for renewable energy sources and other technologies.

“NGCP strongly recommends the review of the Philippine Grid Code to cater to renewable energy sources, particularly the effective use of emerging technologies such as energy storage systems, among others,” it said.

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