The Department of Energy (DOE) assures the public of sufficient power supply across the country before, during and after the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
The DOE said measures are also in place to prevent any unscheduled power outages that may disrupt the voting as well as the counting process.
While there are two potential yellow alerts in Luzon for this week and the week of the elections, the DOE Energy Task Force Election has been instructed early on to coordinate with the generating companies and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to ensure the availability of generating units to meet the demand and required reserves during the period, the DOE added.
Suspension of preventive maintenance and testing of generating units one week before and after the elections will be strictly enforced, it said.
The DOE noted the demand forecast in Luzon for the week of the elections at 12,257 megawatts (MW). However, the current demand is only 10,500 MW to 11,500 MW, even as electricity consumption during the fourth quarter period is generally lower, leading to a power buffer of at least 700 MW.
According to the DOE, the Task Force has also coordinated with the generation companies and the NGCP to facilitate the timely completion and seamless entry of power projects, as well as critical transmission line projects, should there be any.
NGCP was also directed to utilize the High Voltage Direct Current and the Mindanao Visayas Interconnection Project during peak hours to balance the power supply and demand system of the grid.
Despite the expected yellow alert in the Luzon grid, both the Visayas and Mindanao grids are not expected to experience any alerts.
“Safeguarding the energy needs of the country during the critical electoral process is our foremost concern and we have enlisted the full cooperation of all our stakeholders in the generation, transmission and distribution sectors in this endeavor,” said DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla, in a statement.
Distribution utilities (DUs) were also tasked to deploy special and emergency line crews to check lines for any obstructions and to ensure that all necessary and correct connections are installed within their franchise areas.
“As early as now, all DUs must trim trees and remove hazards that can obstruct power lines. They also must secure enough generator sets and flashlights on stand-by in case of unexpected power interruption,” Lotilla stressed.
On the election day proper, the special and emergency line crews will be on standby with the necessary logistical support to immediately respond to emergency cases affecting power supply.
DUs were likewise directed to ensure that all substation facilities and distribution lines are in normal operations to prevent any disruptions in the energy supply.
As for the National Electrification Administration (NEA), it is activating its 24-hour power situation monitoring system on October 27 to help ensure a smooth conduct of the elections.
Under the Commission on Elections’ guidelines, NEA has been deputized and commissioned to “provide and maintain stable and continuous nationwide electric power requirements from the start of voting, until the termination or conclusion of [the] counting of votes, and the proclamation of the winning candidates.”