Power transmission grid operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has warned of thin power supply in the summer months because of higher forecasted demand at 13,125 megawatts .
Thin operating margins from where ancillary services, or power used to manage and balance the grid, are taken, are forecasted for this year. Operating margin is the power in excess of demand. For the Luzon grid, these are forecasted from April to June due to the historically high demand during the summer months.
The 2023 GOMP was approved by the DOE on December 27, 2022. “In compliance with the DOE directive, no maintenance shutdowns were scheduled during the summer months,” NGCP said. A yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s regulating and contingency requirement, which is at 668MW each. A red alert status is issued when supplies are insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement.
The DOE has been pushing for DSM programs for various sectors to soften the impact of any power supply tightness. These are initiatives meant to encourage consumers to optimize their energy consumption. The Manila Electric Company , for instance, wants more of its large customers to sign up for its Interruptible Load Program .