The Energy Department has asked the Commission on Elections for the issuance of a resolution that will resolve the power transmission problem in Mindanao and ensure adequate supply of electricity during the elections.
Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada told reporters that the department has sent a letter to Comelec to help ensure that the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, operator of the country’s transmission network, is able to repair the damaged facilities of Tower 25 of the Agus 2-Kibawe 138 kV line.
Monsada said that Mindanao faces critical power situation during the dry months including the May elections and the repair of the facilities is crucial to ensuring a reliable power supply.
“We proposed a resolution that will enable NGCP to undertake repair and restoration,” Monsada said.
Tower 25 was bombed in December last year by yet to be identified lawless elements, rendering the Agus 2-Kibawe 138kV line non-operational.
The repair of the facility has been hampered by the landowners’ refusal to allow the National Grid to repair Tower 25 citing the failure of government to fully pay his settlement claims.
“Comelec can deputize Napolcom, DILG, PNP, and AFP to provide personnel to secure transmission lines and other related facilities, and assist the NGCP personnel,” Monsada said.
National Grid has already filed a civil case requesting the issuance of a writ of preliminary Injunction and/or temporary restraining Order against the Sambitory family in the hopes of completing the damaged transmission lines located in the family property.
Since then, National Grid said two hydro power plants—Agus 1 and Agus 2—both connected to the grid through the said transmission line, have been isolated, further straining the power supply situation in Mindanao.
National Grid warned that if the family continues to refuse them access, this “will result in the shortage of power supply in the island of Mindanao and the disruption of public service due to massive blackouts and power interruptions.”
Monsada said the task force on elections and the task force on the Mindanao transmission situation has already met to discuss the problem of National Grid.
She said Agus 1 &2 hydropower plants with a derated output of 80 MW due to low water levels (from its 260 MW rated capacity) cannot deliver power because Tower 25 remains unprepared.
“Efforts are now focused on having this tower repaired. Mindanao is still critical during summer especially if one or several plants are down,” the Energy official said.
Monsada said they are still in the process of verifying the priority voting areas during the elections and one option that could ensure reliable supply in Mindanao is for the electric cooperatives to lease generating sets.
Monsada admitted that the use of gensets could result to higher rates “having no power is more expensive.”