Power stable despite El Niño

Despite the threat of El Niño, electricity consumers need not worry about power interruptions for the rest of the year, even next year.

The country's power supply remains stable and is expected to be augmented by new power sources in the coming years, according to the Department of Energy or DoE.

Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla, in a press conference on Thursday, said there is constant communication with their partners to ensure that the power supply would be enough to meet the demand.

"We are looking at, from the supply side, we are looking at adequate levels. We have been monitoring them very closely, especially the ones in Luzon, so that's why it is important to see which new sources will contribute to the supply," Lotilla said.

"If you recall, we did not have 1,200 MW (megawatts) of Ilijan in parts of 2023, so now, in 2024, with the projected completion and complete operation of the LNG import terminals and regasification facilities, we expect this will be very helpful, particularly for Luzon," he said.

Citing the DoE's latest power outlook figures, Lotilla said no yellow or red alerts were apparent throughout the country.

Still, he said, the DoE will continue to work on diversifying the country's power sources to deliver uninterrupted supply.

Director Irma Exconde of the DoE Electric Power Industry Management Bureau said the country's hydropower supply was derated by 70 percent this year due to the dry spell, but the supply cut will be offset by new supply coming in from several solar power plants with a consolidated capacity more or less of 700 MW.

"We have been monitoring hydropower plants this 2023 because of the preparations for El Niño, and we have assumed 70 percent of the duration of hydropower plants, particularly the large ones in Luzon and Mindanao because in the Visayas we don't have very many hydropower plants," Exconde said.

"Still, what we are saying (is that) even with these assumptions, we're looking at no potential red or yellow alerts because of the power plants coming in 2024," she added.