Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the biggest retailer of electricity, is encouraging more businesses to join the interruptible load program, which assured uninterrupted supply in its franchise area when the Luzon grid was placed on red alert recently.
“We recognize the value of our partnership with the ILP participants, which really helped us in ensuring that there will be continuous, stable, and reliable electricity service, consistent with our commitment to keep the lights on for our customers,” said Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications Joe Zaldarriaga said.
Seventy-two business establishments enrolled under the demand-side management program stabilized electricity supply when the Luzon grid suffered insufficient generating capacity.
Meralco immediately activated the ILP and called on enrolled customers to temporarily de-load when National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) warned that power interruptions were imminent due to insufficient operating reserves on September 12.
Meralco big-load customers responded to the call, using their backup power and collectively de-loading close to 298 megawatts from the grid.