Annual blackout simulation drill held

MANILA, Philippines–The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has conducted its annual blackout simulation drill in Luzon to ensure efficiency and reliability in event of major power outages.

“The activity aims to update key players of the power industry on transmission line and equipment developments, transmission outlook, and review contingency plans during critical incidents, including the contingency plan for the present dry season and in case of system security compromise. Other activities conducted were ancillary service updates focusing on black start services, which is implemented by starting individual power stations in each identified restoration area and gradually reconnecting those to integrate the system once again,” the NGCP said in a statement on Monday.

The drill was held last April 3, the tabletop exercise was attended by representatives of the Department of Energy, Grid Management Committee, Distribution Management Committee, Philippine Electricity Market Corporation, National Transmission Corporation, Meralco, and generation companies, together with NGCP’s System Operations (SO) group.

The blackout simulation drill is composed of two major activities – tabletop exercise and black-start recovery simulation drills.

The NGCP said the black-start recovery simulation drill in Luzon was held on the second week of April. The tabletop exercises and actual simulation will be separately conducted for the Visayas and Mindanao grids within the next month, focusing on mitigating scenarios particular to their areas.

“NGCP annually conducts these drills to ensure that the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids can mitigate any and all forms of system disturbances, and that our personnel are prepared to respond to any scenario. The participation of DOE, ERC, power generation companies, and other industry players will guarantee that in the event of a system outage, the contingency plan is effectively and efficiently carried out,” said NGCP President and Chief Executive Officer Henry Sy Jr.

NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. At the same time, it manages the country’s transmission superhighways.