DoE assurance: Barangay, SK elections brownout-free

Despite threats of yellow alerts in Luzon, the Department of Energy or DoE said there will be no power interruptions during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Monday.

"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," Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said on Thursday.

"Preparations have been undertaken to ensure that there would be enough power in days leading up to, during and in the immediate conduct of the elections," he added.

Based on the latest data provided by the DoE, the demand forecast in Luzon during the election week is at 12,257 megawatts or MW.

Lotilla said that he has instructed the Energy Task Force Elections to prevent any unscheduled power outages that may disrupt the voting and counting processes.

The group is also tasked to coordinate with the generating companies and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines or NGCP to ensure the availability of generating units.

The NGCP was likewise 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.

Additionally, the Energy Task Force Election will also manage the distribution utilities' deployment of special and emergency line crews to check lines for any obstructions within their franchise areas.

On 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 were in normal operations to prevent any disruptions in the energy supply.

Separately, the National Electrification Administration or NEA, along with the 121 electric cooperatives under its watch, said it activated its 24-hour power situation monitoring system to help ensure a smooth conduct of the local elections.

Under COMELEC guidelines, the 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."