Luzon threatened by blackout over Calaca plant shutdown

MANILA, Philippines – Luzon was placed on yellow alert Friday, June 26 after reserves fell to 445 megawatts due to the emergency shutdown of the Calaca unit 1 power plant.

When power reserves dwindle and fall below 647MW, a yellow alert is issued by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

The yellow alert lasted from 10 am to 11 am and 12 noon to 3 pm, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said. The utility firm holds power distribution franchise for 22 cities and 89 municipalities, including the whole of the National Capital Region.

“Reserve at 11 am was 526MW and at 2pm it was 445MW,” said Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldariaga.

Zaldariaga said that Quezon Power is also operating on limited capacity from 460MW to 190MW.

Apart from Calaca unit 1 (240MW), there are other plants on scheduled shutdown, namely: Malaya 1 (300MW); Malaya 2 (350MW); Limay1 (100MW); Limay 2 (70MW); Tiwi A-2 (27MW); Pagbilao 1 (382MW); and Sta Rita module 40 (264MW).

Luzon was twice placed on yellow alert this month – on June 15 and 17 –because of gas flow restriction from the Malampaya platform.

The Malampaya facility supplies natural gas to Kepco Philippines’ 1,200-MW Ilijan combined cycle plant; 1,000-MW Sta. Rita; and 500-MW San Lorenzo natural gas plants of First Gas, a subsidiary of the Lopezes’ First Gen Corporation.

These gas plants, supply about 45% of Meralco’s power requirement. – Rappler.com