Power retailer Manila Electric Co. announced over the weekend plans to procure an additional 480 megawatts in anticipation of the tight supply in the dry months next year.
“We are preparing for the summer months next year. We have identified so far 180 MW of baseload and 300 MW of peaking requirements that we will be submitting to the DOE [Department of Energy] for approval of the TOR [terms of reference],” Meralco first vice president and head of regulatory management office Jose Ronald Valles said.
The DOE forecasts a “difficult” power situation in May and June with the possibility of yellow and red alerts in the Luzon grid.
Meanwhile, Valles said Meralco put on hold its request for exemption from the competitive selection process for 1,070 MW of capacity. He said Meralco filed with the DOE a certificate of exemption for an equivalent capacity of 1,070 MW to cover expiring capacity contracts with San Miguel Corp. with Panay Energy Development Corp.
“But in light of the decision of the ERC with respect to the San Miguel contracts, we have decided to request the DOE to put on hold the evaluation of the request because San Miguel has written us a letter signifying its intent to continue supplying power to Meralco under protest without prejudice to the available remedies it may undertake,” Valles said.