Power Restored in 7 Provinces

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Latest reports from the Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) led by the Department of Energy indicated that power has been restored in seven provinces hit by Typhoon Ompong. These are Pangasinan, Batanes, Batangas, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, and Zambales.

After visiting Cagayan on Sunday (16 September), DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi directed Undersecretaries Felix William B. Fuentebella, Alexander S. Lopez and National Electrification Administration(NEA) Administrator Edgardo R. Masongsong to attend the Cabinet Briefing for President Rodrigo R. Duterte in Benguet and conduct ground operations and inspections. They were tasked to fully mobilize and monitor the required personnel for the energy family’s response and restoration activities.

Based on the 9:00AM report of the Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER):

For the power generation sector, the National Power Corporation (NPC) – Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) reported normal operations as of 4:00AM today in the diesel power plant (DPP) areas of Batanes, (Basco, Itbayat, Sabtang) Isabela and Aurora (Maconacon, Casuguran). Meanwhile, DPPs in Calayan, Minabel & Balatubat, Kabugao, and Palanan are still being assessed.

NPC’s dam status report indicates that water-spilling operations were still on-going at the San Roque Dam, with the end of spilling operations forecasted to take place by Wednesday (19 September) evening.

On the other hand, NPC’s Ambuklao-Binga Flood Forecasting and Warning Service (FFWS) Dam Office has turned over the responsibility of its Spillway Gate Operations to SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet (SNAPB) since Ompong already left the Philippine Area of Responsibility; the accumulated 24-hour rainfall measured is less than 50millimeters; and the inflow at the Ambuklao Reservoir is less than 500 centimeters.

For the transmission sector, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that as of 6:00AM, there is a total of 14 de-energized transmission lines in regions I, II, III, IV-A, VII, and CAR

NGCP also reported that transmission lines in Cagayan and Benguet are partially restored. There are currently on-going restoration activities in Apayao, while transmission facilities in other affected provinces have been normalized.

NGCP is continuing its aerial and ground patrols to inspect and assess the full impact of Ompong on its operations and facilities.

For the distribution sector, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) initially estimates the cost of damage on electric cooperatives (ECs) alone to be at Ph111, 085,986.00.

Eight ECs covering seven provinces have been fully restored, while 14 ECs remain up for restoration.

The regions being served by the following electric cooperatives are affected:

1.             ECs with ongoing restoration:

•     Region I (3 ECs) – INEC (Ilocos Norte), ISECO (Ilocos Sur), LUELCO (La Union with 4.2% restored)

•     Region II (5 ECs) – CAGELCO I and II (Cagayan), ISELCO I (parts of Isabela with 33.3% restored),
ISELCO II (parts of Isabela), NUVELCO (Nueva Viscaya with 14.3% restored)

•     CAR (5 ECs) – BENECO (Benguet), MOPRECO (Mountain Province), ABRECO (Abra), KAELCO
(Kalinga-Apayao), IFELCO (Ifugao)

•     Region III (1 EC) – AURELCO (Aurora with 88.9% restored)

2.             ECs fully restored:

•    Region I (1 EC) – PANELCO I and III (Pangasinan)

•     Region II (2 ECs) – BATANELCO (Batanes), QUIRELCO (Quirino)

•     Region III (2 ECs) – NEECO II-AREA I (Nueva Ecija), ZAMECO I (Zambales)

•     Region IV-A (2 ECs) – FLECO (Laguna), BATELEC II (Batangas)

In the areas served by the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), all circuit outages are completely restored.

MERALCO reported that there are still 15,000 to 20,000 customers or 0.23% to 0.30% of its total customers undergoing for restoration which are mostly on service drop or household levels within the franchise area.
 

In the oil industry, monitoring activities of oil companies indicate that as of 12:00PM yesterday (16 September), there is sufficient supply of petroleum products, with stocks ranging from 2 to 15 days, depending on the area.

The DOE reiterates the implementation of a price freeze in Cagayan, Abra, Benguet, Isabela and Mayoyao, Ifugao after said provinces have been put under a State of Calamity. The price freeze covers household LPG and kerosene products, which will be enforced for 15 days upon said announcement.

The DOE continues to assure the public that it remains committed in the monitoring and immediate restoration of power and energy facilities in areas hit by Typhoon Ompong.