FILE PHOTO: Power outage / black out (Prince Marquez / Photoville International)
Results of the investigation showed that a wire accidentally detached from the Agus 7 hydroelectric power plant in Lanao del Norte, but the Department of Energy is wondering why it affected the whole of Mindanao.
The DOE assured that there is no indication of any sabotage.
“There is no indication of sabotage but given the fact that it is 75 years old, anything can happen,” said Department of Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla.
Part of the investigation is the identification and evaluation of possible areas that may be affected in case the incident happens again.
The DOE stressed that if only Mindanao had enough energy reserve, affected areas will be reduced.
The geographical location of power plants in Mindanao plays a big role in the energy situation as most are located in the northern part of Mindanao while the southern part has only a few.
Look at the map of Mindanao, all is in the north like Agus, Steag coal plants.The only plants located in the south are Therma Marine, Mt.Apo. So there’s an imbalance during this time that is difficult to handle,” said DOE Mindanao Operation Officer Eugene Bicar.
The energy department said there was enough supply of power in the region when the blackout occurred but it was severely thin.
Sec. Petilla said there is no assurance that the incident will not happen again because of the unpredictability of technical issues.
“The only way to make sure that it will not happen again is to replace it.”
While the energy reserve in Mindanao remains thin, major blackouts are most likely to happen.The only solution is to build more power plants for additional supply. (MON JOCSON / UNTV News)