FILE PHOTO: A child playing the candle during a power outage (Rovic Balunsay / Photoville International)
Manila, Philippines – Despite the ongoing maintenance shutdown of Malampaya, MERALCO is confident that customers will not experience power outages.
The remaining days before the end of the Malampaya maintenance shutdown on April 14 are the most critical. However, MERALCO believes that brownouts will not be experienced in its coverage areas, as power supply remains adequate. MERALCO also said that what happened in Mindanao is highly unlikely to occur in Metro Manila given the good condition of their facilities.
As of today, Luzon’s electricity consumption stands at more than 8,000 megawatts.This is still one thousand megawatts less than the actual capacity in Luzon, which can supply nine thousand megawatts.
Although the weather is getting hotter, supply is controlled and brownouts are a remote possibility.
In return, as confirmed by MERALCO, there will be additional charges to be passed onto consumers for the month of April.
Cost increases are attributable to more expensive fuels used in the three big electric plants, given the unavailability of the natural gas produced by Malampaya.
According to MERALCO spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga, “There is a big difference between the prices of natural gas and liquid fuel. This means that if you factor in the additional cost of liquid fuel, you can really expect an increase in the generation cost.”
However, the problems brought about by the maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya do not end there, as the temperature will rise higher in May. This will definitely result to higher consumption and demand for electricity.
MERALCO estimates that the electricity consumption in may can reach 9,000 megawatts, close to the actual supply capacity.
The department of energy, however, says that the months of June and July are also critical because there will be another maintenance shutdown.
“Take note that we asked some power plants not to maintain in May. They moved the maintenance to June, so now we have to be on a look out, especially if it will not be raining in June, because there is a possibility that the summer will be extended. We’re not going to relax even if the Malampaya shutdown will be completed by mid-April,” said DOE Sec. Jericho Petilla.
DOE and MERALCO continue to remind the public to save electricity to ensure adequate power supply and to avoid widespread power outages. (MON JOCSON/UNTV News)