Power outages, load shedding imminent due to supply deficit, says NGCP

DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb. 9 – An official of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in Negros Oriental has confirmed that power load shedding in areas in the Visayas is already taking place amid a growing deficit in electricity supply in the region.

Engr. Sonia Ruiz, line transmission engineer of the NGCP sub-station in Amlan town, Negros Oriental, said the load shedding is irregular and unannounced and could take place anytime without prior notice to the public.

Many residents are continuously complaining of the power outages, low voltage and power surges that have resulted in the damage of their electrical appliances, while business groups here also showed apprehension that the power interruption would impact on their businesses and the local economy.

But Ruiz explained that the load shedding, which is very unpredictable, has to be implemented, otherwise the entire system will lock down and that will be a bigger problem.

The Visayas grid connects the islands of Leyte, Cebu, Negros and Panay through submarine cables.

According to Ruiz, the NGCP systems operations center in Cebu decides on the load shedding at any time and day when necessary, Ruiz added.

“It is automatic. There is no way for a customer, even client electric cooperatives, to prepare,” she said.

Power interruptions brought about by load shedding usually last from 30 minutes to an hour or even more, Ruiz said.

Last week, the cities of Bayawan and Bais experienced a brief power interruption due to load shedding.

Ruiz said the public has to brace for more power interruptions as projected power supply deficit in the Visayas which was projected several years back is now for real. (PNA) LAP/JFP

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