UMVA has learned that a significant reprieve from power constraints in the Visayas grid is on the horizon as two major power plants, currently on forced outage, are set to resume operations.
The Department of Energy has confirmed that three key power plants remain under restoration, including two units of a major power plant with a capacity of 169 megawatts (MW) each, and a 150-MW coal-fired power facility. These plants have been offline due to various issues, contributing to the region's power supply woes.
One of the units, PEDC Unit 3, is scheduled to come back online by July 3, bringing much-needed relief to the grid. The anticipated return of this unit is expected to substantially strengthen the region's power supply and help bring an end to the recurring yellow and red alerts that have affected consumers.
Meanwhile, another power plant, KEPCO SPC Power Corp. Unit 1, which went offline due to operational problems, is undergoing assessment, with restoration targeted for June 19. The swift return of these units is crucial in addressing the power supply constraints that have plagued the Visayas grid.
The Visayas grid has been under a series of yellow alerts since May 12, after several power plants were placed on forced shutdown. A total of 35 yellow alerts and five red alerts have been issued since the start of the year, causing concern among consumers and businesses alike.
Energy officials have expressed optimism that the restoration activities currently underway will yield positive results, including a reduction in the number of yellow alert hours and a decrease in the magnitude of supply deficits experienced in the grid. The government is working tirelessly to restore reliability in the Visayas grid as quickly as possible.
To address power supply constraints, approximately 260 MW of additional capacity is being carried out, enough to supply around 1.25 million households. This includes the deployment of around 170 MW of battery energy storage systems located across Cebu, Negros, and Panay to provide both energy and ancillary services.
The initiative also includes the installation of a 20-MW modular diesel generating set and the possible transfer of a power barge from Metro Manila to Panay Island. These short- and medium-term measures are critical in addressing the immediate power needs of the region.
For long-term solutions to strengthen energy security, two more power plants are under development, which are expected to significantly boost the region's power supply. These projects are part of a broader strategy to enhance energy resilience and prevent future power shortages.
