CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines - Hydro-electric plants in Mindanao have reduced power generation by at least 50% of their total capacity due to low water inflows from Lake Lanao and Pulangi River caused by the on-going dry spell.
 
Beth Ladaga, corporate communication specialist of the National Grid Corporation Philippines (NGCP), said power-generating capacity is anticipated to remain insufficient as a result of the unavailability of Agus 5 (Units 1 & 2), the Mindanao Coal Fired Power Plant (Unit 2), and the Iligan Diesel Power Plant.

Ladaga said this is forcing the NCGP, as system operator, to implement power-load shedding or rotating brownouts throughout Mindanao.  She said the brownouts will continue for the whole month of February as they anticipate the power supply to remain below comfortable levels.
 
There are 3 load curtailment levels currently set: 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 12:31 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 5:31 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m.

Ladaga said an increase in curtailment levels or longer brownouts are linked to the continuous upward trend of the daily grid load between 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Curtailment is automatically lifted as actual system condition improves, she said.
 
Power distributors each have their assigned load allocation to maintain for each time-bracket under the curtailment plan. 

The NGCP closely monitors the load of each distributor through Area Control Centers (ACC) located in Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Davao and General Santos City. -- Trini Velasco, ABS-CBN Northern Mindanao