ERC: Bohol WESM resumes operations

BY LENIE LECTURA – FEBRUARY 14, 2022
from Business Mirror

The Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) in Bohol resumed operations last week after a critical transmission line was energized, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said.

The ERC has directed the Philippine Electricity Market Corp.-Market Operator (PEMC-MO) to resume the operations of the spot market after the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines-Visayas System Operations (NGCP- VSO) reported that the 138 KV Maasin-Ubay Line was energized last  February 9, and consequently, the Bohol Island was resynchronized to the Visayas grid.

“The ERC has been closely monitoring the situation in Bohol, and the recent resynchronization is a welcome development. In view of this, we are now lifting the market suspension in Bohol to ensure sustainable power supply and help in the province’s economic recovery after the devastation caused by Typhoon Odette,” said ERC Chairperson Agnes VST Devanadera.

Bohol Island was excluded when the operations of WESM in the Visayas Grid resumed last January 17 pending completion of the Maasin-Ubay Line.  Through the NGCP’s Emergency Restoration System, the 138 KV Maasin-Ubay Line, which serves as a link for the transmission of power from Leyte to Bohol, was re-energized.

“We have advised PEMC-MO to effect the resumption through a Notice of Market Resumption. The lifting of market suspension due to the completion of the Maasin-Ubay Line will enable the exportation of power to Bohol and will mean a more stable power for the electricity consumers in the area,” Devanadera said. Under ERC Resolution No. 12, Series of 2018 titled “A Resolution Adopting Amendments to the Rules in the Event of Market Suspension or Declaration of Temporary Market Failure and the Subsequent Market Resumption of the Operation of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market”, the ERC is responsible for determining when the market is to resume upon report from the NGCP-VSO, particularly after resynchronization of the isolated part of the grid for 24 consecutive hours.