Power players must submit plans to DOE on ensuring supply
By Lenie Lectura -March 17, 2020
from Business Mirror
POWER industry stakeholders were directed to submit to the Department of Energy (DOE) their respective Business Continuity Plans (BCP), which outlines their strategies in ensuring power supply availability in the country.
The DOE directive is part of the agency’s working plan meant to ensure sufficient and uninterrupted power supply during the 30-day community quarantine in the National Capital Region (NCR).
“Electric power services must remain uninterrupted. We are working closely with the members of the power sector for their respective work plans and strategies to ensure the availability of power supply, particularly in vital installations such as hospitals. At the same time, we need to ensure that power sector personnel are compliant with the directives of the DOH in order to arrest the Covid 19 situation,” DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.
Power stakeholders such as the generating companies, distribution utilities, have been directed to prepare and submit to the DOE their respective BCP, which outlines their strategies in ensuring power supply availability in the country, most especially in the NCR.
The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, Inc. (Iemop) said it has already submitted its BCP.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has likewise implemented contingency measures to ensure uninterrupted power transmission services in the country.
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), meanwhile, said it will defer its earlier scheduled maintenance activities during the community quarantine period except for those deemed as critically loaded areas, as approved by the DOE.
At the same time, Meralco assured the public that it will continue to serve its customers and operate 24/7 to ensure uninterrupted distribution of power.
“During these challenging times, Meralco will continue working with the energy sector so as to ensure that electric power services remain uninterrupted. Meralco is implementing its business continuity plan and emergency measures to distribute power around the clock, especially to crucial installations such as hospitals.
“At the same time, we are one with the power sector in our total compliance with the directives of the DOH in order to arrest the Covid-19 situation. Our customers can rest assured that safety is also of paramount concern to us and we will continue to cooperate with government in ensuring that we will provide the best level of service expected from us,” said Meralco SVP & Head of Networks Engr. Ronnie L. Aperocho.
The distribution utility said it has taken all precautions to preserve the safety and health of its employees while also sustaining its continuous operations in the franchise area.
