DOE: Power demand low during polls

THE POWER situation was stable on Monday as Filipinos went to the polls, the Department of Energy (DOE) reported, citing low power demand and the quick response of power firms to “isolated incidents.”

The DOE said it would closely monitor power supply and demand during the vote count today and the rest of the week.

“For some hours, we got as high as 4,000 megawatts (MW) of (power) reserves for today (Monday) until 12 noon,” Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada told a press briefing. That was because of very low power demand and all-out energy production by generation companies,” she said.

Monsada also cited distribution utilities, which include electricity cooperatives and private power retailers such as the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), for their preparedness in dealing with isolated incidents.

She lauded the information campaign launched by Meralco in its franchise area.

“Demand was very low today not only because it is a non-working holiday but it also shows that people responded to the appeal for the judicious use of power. We are also very happy about Meralco’s quick response in areas with power load problems,” Monsada said.

Meralco reported that power supply had been stable in its franchise area despite two incidents of burned power poles due to a grass fire  in Lucena City.

The National Electrification Administration (NEA), which oversees 120 electricity cooperatives, said there were very few isolated incidents of power outages reported except for some line fault and fuse problems.

“But all of these were immediately restored. There were no major issues encountered. And we will continue 24-hour monitoring until needed,” NEA Administrator Edita S. Bueno said.