The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a circular that will organize the scheduling of power plants’ planned maintenance shutdowns so as not to cause unwarranted supply disruptions.
Under department circular number 2020-02-0004 signed by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi last February 6, all generating facilities connected to the country’s main grid are required to submit a three-year planned outage schedules to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
The NGCP and the spot market operator will then device a mechanism to come up with an optimal generation and transmission planned outage schedule that will be the basis of a grid operating and maintenance program.
In turn, the NGCP must submit to the DOE its proposed schedule of power plant shutdowns every end-October for approval. Any changes in the approved schedule due to emergency situations of generating facilities will be allowed by the NGCP but the DOE should be notified.
Meanwhile, the spot market operator is required to monitor the compliance of participating power industry players and must also submit a report to the DOE.
Upon approval of the schedules, details will be posted in the websites of NGCP, DOE, spot market operator and the Energy Regulatory Commission.
Only hydro power plants will be allowed to undergo scheduled plant maintenance operations during the peak season which coincides within the summer months.
Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI), however, sees the circular as mere “window dressing’’ saying more transparency is needed.
“…In the past, the outages and shutdowns of power plants have led to challenged power supply situations and also contributed to higher generation costs and electricity charges.
These power plants and generation companies must be closely watched and kept in check so that their maintenance activities do not have any harm or ill-will against consumers. We have always advocated constant updates and transparency from these generation company owners,’’ said Vic Dimagiba, LKI president, a statement.
