MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) has reached out to its eligible customers to take part in its interruptible load program (ILP) in which participants, when needed, “de-load” from the electricity grid and use their own generators.
“Currently, there are 122 companies with a total committed de-loading capacity of close to 560 megawatts (MW) in the Meralco franchise area that are enrolled under this program,” Meralco Vice-President and Head of Utility Economics Lawrence S. Fernandez said in a Viber message.
The program is implemented by the Department of Energy (DoE) along with distribution utilities in response to thinning power reserves, especially during the summer months.
On March 31, Meralco conducted a webinar in coordination with the DoE urging eligible customers to sign up for the ILP.
“This is one of the measures we have in place to ensure there will be continuous and reliable electricity service, particularly during the dry months and the upcoming National and Local Elections,” Mr. Fernandez said.
In the instance when the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) declares insufficient power supply scenarios, Meralco asks the ILP participants to temporarily de-load from the grid and switch on their generators.
In preparation for the elections in May, NGCP will be mobilizing 24/7 operations of its overall command center from May 8 to 10 to oversee power transmission operations and facilities.
NGCP’s dedicated team, the power task force elections (PTFE), has already carried out preparatory activities by coordinating with Commission on Elections and other government agencies for the deployment of their respective contingency plans.
“Our Integrated Disaster Action Plan (IDAP) prescribes these and other measures to ensure the readiness of all power transmission facilities to be affected by emergencies during important national events. With its security and contingency preparations set, NGCP can ensure reliable power transmission services before, during, and after the election date,” the company said in a statement.
This year, the DoE forecast a total peak demand of 12,387-MW for the Luzon grid by the last week of May, 747-MW higher than the previous year’s peak load of 11,640-MW that occurred on May 28.
Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.
Meralco shares at the local bourse advanced by P5.60 or 1.53% to close at P372.60 apiece. — Ram Christian S. Agustin
