DOE warns possible power outages in Luzon with unplanned maintenance of Sual plant
The Department of Energy (DOE) warns of possible power outages in Luzon due to the unplanned maintenance of 647 megawatts (MW) Sual coal-fired power plant Unit 1 that may extend until the middle of next month.
In its media release, the department "calls the attention of other government agencies, in particular, the Department of Health (DOH), to advise hospitals, blood banks, dialysis centers, and other similar facilities to adopt alternative measures, such as preparing their generator sets, if any, in case of power interruptions."
The unplanned maintenance from April 29, 2023 to May 1, 2023 will be made "to resolve the build-up of a leak from the plant's boiler tube and cleaning of the generator stator lot bar to rectify increase in temperature."
However, the DOE still expressed optimism that there will be minimal or no power interruptions because the demand is low as this would fall on a long weekend.
"To maintain supply-demand balance during the period, the DOE is closely coordinating with Meralco, other distribution utilities, and retail electricity suppliers to activate and expand the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) to help soften the impact whenever supply deficiency and power interruptions are imminent in the grid," it stated.
The energy department is also requesting "public cooperation by rationalizing the use of power during the peak demand hours of 11:00 am – 12:00 nn, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, and 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm."
"During these times, all offices and residences using air conditioners are also encouraged to set their thermostat at 25 degrees Celsius," it stated.
The DOE said if the maintenance would be a longer seven-day duration on May 5 to 11, 2023, "it would result in a possible yellow alert, or worst, red alert on Weeks 18 (1 to 7 May 2023) and Week 19 (8 to 14 May 2023)."
"Meanwhile, the generator slot bar repair will be scheduled sometime in June or July 2023. To avoid worsening the technical problem while waiting for the scheduled repair, Sual Unit 1 operates at a derated output of 580 MW from its full capacity of 647 MW," it added.
The DOE ensures that it will continue to coordinate with all concerned stakeholders to avoid power supply interruption, especially during the summer season. Robina Asido/DMS
