DoE: Power fully restored in quake-hit provinces
By Victor V. Saulon, Sub-Editor
POWER has been fully restored in Leyte, Samar and Bohol after the three provinces suffered for weeks without electricity when a magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit a number of power plants in the area on July 6, the Department of Energy (DoE) said on Friday.
eyIn a statement, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi has commended his staff as well as those in the industry who contributed to the DoE meeting the electrification target four days ahead of the July 31 deadline.
“The task to build a stronger and more resilient energy system lies ahead. Our hosting of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue in Bohol next week will help us learn more and do more,” Mr. Cusi said.
The earthquake occurred at 4:03 p.m. on Thursday, July 6, in Jaro town of Leyte. Panay, Negros and Cebu islands also experienced power interruptions but were shortly restored.
The DoE quoted a report from power system operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines that the 150-megavolt ampere (MVa) transformer 2 at the Ormoc substation was successfully energized at around 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday and was loading electricity on Friday.
“This means that another 135 MW (megawatts) can be delivered to Leyte, Samar and Bohol,” the DoE said.
Of the total potential 330 MW in the three islands that can meet their projected peak demand of 291 MW, up to 135 MW will traverse the Ormoc substation; 40 MW will come from the Tongonan geothermal power plant; around 20 MW from various generation sources; and an additional 135 MW through the Ormoc substation.
The DoE also said the projected peak demand in the three islands is broken down as: 210 MW for Leyte and Samar, ad 81 MW for Bohol.
