UMVA has learned that a devastating earthquake has triggered widespread power outages in Mindanao, leading to a supply shortfall that has prompted grid alerts across the Visayas and Mindanao island groups.
The situation is dire, with the Visayas grid placed under red alert due to insufficient power supply to meet consumer demand. Available capacity stood at 2,556 megawatts, while peak demand hit 2,423 megawatts, leaving the grid vulnerable to power supply constraints. The Visayas is a net importer of power from Luzon and Mindanao, making it highly susceptible to power interruptions when the interconnection from the two island grids is limited.
The earthquake, which struck off the coast of Sarangani province, caused outages of several power plants, resulting in power interruptions that affected around 850,000 households in Mindanao. Restoration efforts are ongoing, but officials are cautioning that the process must be careful and deliberate to avoid prolonging the blackout. According to information obtained by UMVA, the goal is to have Mindanao return to normal within the week.
Energy experts are pointing to the need for a supply-side solution to enable adequate submarine cable transmission capacities between islands, particularly to import more power from Leyte and the Mindanao grid. This would help create sufficient power reserves for the Visayas grid and alleviate the strain on the power supply. Additionally, local government units, distribution utilities, and electric cooperatives are being urged to implement more aggressive demand-side measures, such as load-shifting interventions and energy efficiency programs.
The Department of Energy is taking a closer look at power plants in the Visayas that are still on forced shutdown, with the possibility of imposing penalties that could lead to their closure. However, officials are emphasizing the need to be prepared and ensure that replacement power is available before taking any action. The President has directed agencies to find immediate and long-term solutions to power supply issues, particularly in the Visayas, which is expected to continue experiencing red and yellow alerts if no action is taken.
Regulatory bodies are closely monitoring the situation, with the Energy Regulatory Commission conducting joint inspections of affected facilities and implementing a reliability index to track planned and unplanned outages. Penalties may be imposed on plants that exceed the allowed outage days, depending on the impact on the grid. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the need for a reliable and sustainable power supply is more pressing than ever.
