NGCP: No indication of rotational brownouts today

Metro Manila (CNN Philippine, June 3) — No rotational power outages in Luzon can be expected on Thursday, according to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

NGCP Spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza told CNN Philippines' The Source that there are no "foreseeable" indications of power interruptions for the day, citing lower demand and cooler temperature.

"Right now, the grid is under normal condition so we don't foresee any power interruptions today," she said.

Alabanza said a big power plant went online on Wednesday, which already prompted the agency to lift the red and yellow alert status for the Luzon power grid.

On Monday afternoon, the NGCP placed the Luzon grid on red alert from 1 to 3 p.m., which meant rotational brownouts are expected to manage thin supply and growing demand. This continued the following day and was even extended to longer hours.

Yellow alert hours in the morning, afternoon, and late evening were also declared on that day. This means available reserves are thin, but do not necessarily mean power outages.

Alabanza clarified that there could be "fluctuations" on available power supply, especially if power plants go on emergency shutdown and consumer demand is not met.

"The only assurance I can give is there's none (power shortage) that is foreseen, but we have to balance that with the caveat that this is only true if no other power plant goes on emergency shutdown or if the projections for demand hold," Alabanza explained.

"This morning, I woke up, it was raining so the temperatures are cooler but throughout the day it turns warmer. We cannot say if demand will overtake supply but for now, there’s none foreseeable," she added.

The Department of Energy previously said power supply in Luzon has reached a deficit of 200 megawatts, with the capacity of generators not enough to cater to demand that led to power interruptions. The NGCP said brownouts may last until June 7.

The DOE is already looking into possible criminal liability on the part of power companies for the unplanned shutdowns.

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