72% of Visayas power load restored

MANILA, Philippines – Seventy-two percent of the power load in Visayas has been restored, according to the grid operator.

In a statement on Tuesday, December 3, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said that as of November 28, 5 out of 8 priority transmission grid “backbones” that were damaged by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) were back in operation.

The transmission lines that were recently energized include the Ormoc-Babatngon line in Leyte, Babatngon-Paranas line traversing Samar and Leyte, Paranas-Calbayog line in Samar, and the Dingle Panit-an line in Capiz – all 138 kilovolts (kV).

The restoration of the lines brought power back to more cities in Visayas, including Maasin in Southern Leyte, Roxas in Capiz, and Catbalogan in Samar.

Thirteen electric cooperatives now have access to power:

• Iloilo Electric Cooperative (ILECO) I,II and III
• Antique Electric Cooperative (ANTECO)
• Capiz Electric Cooperativer (CAPELCO)
• Leyte Electric Cooperative (LEYECO) II, IV and V
• Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative (SOLECO)
• Samar Electric Cooperative (SAMELCO) I and II
• Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative (ESAMELCO)
• Northern Samar Electric Cooperative (NORSAMELCO)

NGCP spokesperson Atty. Cynthia Perez-Alabanza, however, warned that “though our transmission facilities are restored, some municipalities may still experience rotational brownouts because of supply defficiency.”

NGCP earlier described the damage caused by Yolanda as “the worst ever so far.” It said it would take more than a month to restore power in all areas affected by the typhoon.

Energy Secretary Jericho Carlos Petilla made an appeal to Luzon consumers to conserve energy so excess power supply could be supplied to Visayas.

The appeal came after Petilla promised that he would resign from his post if his department fails to restore power in typhoon-stricken areas by Christmas eve.

But the energy chief recently admitted some areas in Visayas might not have power by December 25. –Rappler.com