Palawan electric coop implements remedies to stop blackouts

By Myrna M. Velasco – April 1, 2022, 4:37 PM
from Manila Bulletin

The Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) implementing remedies to prevent the recurrence of blackouts in its service area after investigating the causes of the recent power disruptions.

According to the National Electrification Administration (NEA), PALECO Acting General Manager Federico Villar led the probe on the two consecutive blackout incidents that affected the power utility’s Poblacion circuit.

“Investigation showed that the birds living in the tree near the power lines have been perching on the PALECO lines near City Coliseum,” the electrification agency has reported. This resulted in short circuits that affected the electricity flow in the area, leading to electricity service interruptions of significant number of PALECO customers, sad NEA.

Among the solutions proposed by PALECO is to apply hard covers to insulate the device along the primary lines and avoid short circuit, NEA said.

In particular, PALECO Area Central Operations Manager Ricardo S. Adajao said the replacement of bare conductor jumpers with insulated wires will be facilitated in the next few days.

In the meantime, consumers in the area could “expect scheduled power interruptions.”

The other remedial measures recommended by PALECO is to cut tree and installation of a sonar repellent device often used in airports to keep the birds away.

On top of that, NEA assured that the technical services department of PALECO will continue to develop long-term solutions to avoid the same occurrence and that would benefit the member-consumer-owners.