DOE: PHL has enough power reserves for next 6 months

BY BUTCH FERNANDEZ – AUGUST 10, 2022
from Business Mirror

Raphael P.M. Lotilla

UNDER questioning at a Senate Energy Committee hearing Wednesday, Department of Energy (DOE) officials allayed apprehensions over looming brownouts when asked about the power outlook for the next six months.

Responding to the query raised by committee vice chairman Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla promptly assured the panel that the country “currently has enough reserves for the next six months,” assuming there would be no major breakdowns of power plants.

“But for the summer months,” Lotilla quickly added, “I have to tell you that I’m beginning to have concerns about that and we will do our best precisely to address stranded power out there.”

Sen. Raffy Tulfo, the new chairman of the Committee on Energy, presided over the first hybrid organizational meeting with DOE officials led by Lotilla. In his opening statement, Tulfo noted the daunting task of the committee, especially at a time when prices of electricity and fuel are soaring to unprecedented levels.

“Energy is a technical field but it must always be remembered that in this committee, our first and foremost priority is always the productivity, welfare, and betterment of the people. I wholeheartedly accept this challenge. This is precisely the reason why I pushed to run for senator—to make changes through legislation,” he said.

At the hearing, Gatchalian recalled that the country had about 22 red alerts and 154 yellow alerts over the last six years and it has become a tradition for the committee to seek a power outlook from concerned agencies.