By Juzel L. Danganan
MANILA, Feb. 23 (PNA) — The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) cannot assure a zero brownout during the summer months even with the participation of firms in the Interruptible Load Program (ILP).
”Even with the ILP’s, Meralco cannot guarantee there will be no brownouts,” Meralco Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan told reporters during firm’s financial and operating results for 2014.
Pangilinan said Meralco had no control over the final decision of its ILP signed participants, whether they would operate or not.
The ILP is the de-loading of electricity usage of firms or establishments through their dependence of power from generator sets.
The distribution utility reported 617 megawatts (MWs) of ILP capacity has been signed, with 300-400 MW more under discussion. The Department of Energy (DOE) formerly said it wanted the ILP capacity to reach 1,000 MW.
Meralco assured there was coordination with stakeholders, stressing the ILP’s would run if they were given an advisory a day before they are scheduled to run.
Meralco President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Oscar Reyes said this year’s power situation would be more problematic than the previous years, adding there were no new power plant investments from 2008 until 2011.
He also mentioned the reserve deficit was an effect of the aging power plants of the country, specifying it was evident during the last quarter of 2013.
Reyes said it will take at least five years or more to make up for the lost time on investments.
However, the Meralco CEO was optimistic the power supply would be more sustainable next year with the opening of new power plants, namely the 135-MW of Trans-Asia, 150 MW from Sem-Calaca and two other plants. (PNA)