Energy players push rapid rebuild after twin typhoon

The country’s energy sector, led by the Department of Energy’s Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER), is locked in a rapid push to restore electricity to millions of customers and communities battered by typhoons “Tino” and “Uwan.”

At a media briefing on Saturday, Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella, who chairs TFER, said the restoration effort already reduced the number of customers without electricity from 4.8 million to 1.2 million.

Initial assessment

Based on the initial assessment by the National Electrification Administration, super typhoon “Uwan” alone caused at least P185.4 million in damage to power facilities, leaving more than 1.28 million member-consumer-owners still awaiting reconnection.

Fuentebella said 40 electric cooperatives remain under monitoring during the ongoing state of national calamity but only the Mountain Province Electric Cooperative is still experiencing a total power interruption.

“The collaboration and dedication of the energy sector and Task Force Kapatid are vital to bringing light and hope back to our communities. We are committed to working tirelessly until every Filipino has access to reliable electricity,” Fuentebella said.

Full restoration timelines

Fuentebella, however, noted that full restoration timelines will depend on access to damaged sites and the pace of clearing operations.

Meanwhile, transmission operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines restored the La Trinidad-Sagada 69-kV line, while transmission facilities in Catanduanes were energized except for the San Miguel-Viga segment, which was 83.33 percent complete.

Nearly all private distribution utilities in Luzon and Visayas were also restored, with Visayan Electric Co., Inc. energized at 96.5 percent and Negros Electric and Power Co. at 90.28 percent.

Recovery efforts

Electric cooperatives continued to ramp up recovery efforts. In Negros Oriental, NORECO I fully restored power to its 285 barangays, with 99.35 percent of consumer connections back online and full completion expected between 16 and 22 November.

NOCECO restored electricity to 89 percent of barangays in its franchise area, although repairs in La Castellana remained delayed due to damaged bridges. NONECO energized more than 60 percent of its barangays and consumer connections, with full restoration targeted by 30 November.

In Catanduanes, FICELCO restored power to 16.51 percent of barangays and 31.41 percent of consumer accounts, with progress slowed by damaged poles and debris. In the Bicol region, MASELCO led with more than 98 percent restoration, followed by CASURECO II and SORECO I and II near the 70-percent mark.