The Department of Energy (DOE) has been waiting three months now for the battery energy storage systems seen to address the power outages in Visayas.
During the joint hearing of the House Committees on Energy, Visayas Development, and Legislative Franchises in Bacolod City on Saturday, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said that 250-megawatt battery energy storage systems will reduce red and yellow alerts and the power bills in the Visayas.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) issues a red alert status “when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement.”
A yellow alert status, meanwhile, is raised “when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.”
Philippines signs $60-million grant to improve energy sector
Garin said the NGCP has yet to complete the contracting of the battery systems.
“Sana na-avoid na natin ‘yung red and yellow alerts kung kinontrata na agad. Again, I’m asking NGCP through this committee na tapusin na ‘yung mga contracting natin because we really need it. Kailangan three months ago pa ‘yan,” Garin told the joint hearing.
The DOE is also planning to deploy more power barges next year. Aside from reducing the red and yellow alerts, Garin said these may ease the power bills despite increasing demand.
Negros Island Region Consumers Watch’s Ernie Pineda, called on concerned agencies to address the perennial problem.
“‘Pag tumaas ang presyo ng kuryente, maraming mahihirap sa sektor namin na umiiyak na… Sana matulungan na ang lahat ng implementing agency para makatulong sa pagpababa ng presyo ng kuryente at mabilis matulungan na kung pwede ‘yung pinapangako na wala nang brownout o minsan na lang,” he appealed.
House members criticized the unstable power supply in the Visayas, especially as consumers’ lives are affected.
Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Junard Chan lamented that despite power outages, electricity rates remain high.
“Our families are struggling. High electricity bills are taking money away from food, education, and other basic needs. They need reliable electricity and affordable bills and they need relief now,” Chan said.
Power restored in almost all Habagat-hit areas: Meralco
Deputy Speaker and Bacolod City Rep. Albee Benitez laid out a 15-point “Liwanag Agenda” which seeks to solve the electricity woes.
The agenda includes activation of failed plants, keeping backup reserve power, and the procurement of new plants for areas that require dependable power.
“‘Yung reserve power or ancillary services, ‘yan ang nagkakaroon tayo ng problema dahil hindi nabibigyan ng tamang allocation or binibigyan ng tamang disposition para magamit nila tuwing nagkakaroon tayo ng power supply shortage,” Benitez said.
Benitez moved to allow NGCP to generate needed ancillary services, which the joint committees approved after no one objected.
While short-term solutions are being implemented for the power crisis, Garin said the earliest long-term solutions for the Visayas are expected in 2028.