With record-breaking temperatures this summer, power system operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) indicated that electricity demand in Luzon already surpassed last year’s level as recorded on Wednesday, April 19.

Data showed that power demand in the Luzon grid reached record-high of 12,235 megawatts on Wednesday, higher by 122 megawatts from the grid’s peak demand of 12,113MW last year.

On the whole though, as the economy bounces back from the scourge of the coronavirus pandemic, the DOE has plotted peak demand to reach higher 13,125MW for this year.

Within the franchise area of Manila Electric Company (Meralco), it was similarly reported that power demand topped 2022 level, as it already touched off at 8,124MW on April 19 vis-à-vis last year’s peak demand of 8,111MW.

The scorching weather, which has been setting off heat index to as high as 48 degrees in some parts of the country, has been prompting the use of more cooling or air-conditioning systems, that in turn sparked off rise in electricity usage.

Fortunately, earlier forecasts of ‘yellow alerts’ by the Department of Energy (DOE) have not happened yet, but if the incessantly rising temperatures will linger, it is not far-fetched that the thin supply in the Luzon grid would soon roll into strained pitch.

Based on earlier projections, there would be at least 15 instances of "yellow alerts" or "insufficiency of power reserves" that will be distressing Luzon system this year; and propitiously, March passed by without experiencing the "yellow alert".

There have been measures pushed by the energy department to prudently manage the thin supply, including the completion of key transmission projects of the NGCP, as well as the new power generating facilities.

One of the major transmission linkup undertaking anticipated by the DOE is the commercial operation of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), primarily targeted for ‘capacity export’ from Mindanao to Visayas and Luzon by March 31 this year, but timelines are now pushed back to July.

According to Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, the testing and commissioning of the MVIP is currently being done on phases and capacity-sharing ramp up will settle at the maximum of more than 400 megawatts in three months.

“When they started testing and commissioning, they started with 80MW, to be increased until we reach July with 425MW back and forth,” she conveyed.

The "export capacity" of the MVIP could be as high as 450MW,  benefiting Luzon power system with additional supply because it could be at the receiving end of surplus capacity from the Mindanao grid.

For the country’s biggest power utility, Meralco Vice President Joe Zaldarriaga asserted that "we are closely working with the DOE, NGCP and other members of the energy industry to ensure availability of reliable and sufficient power.”

He affirmed that based on initial data, "Meralco franchise area recorded its highest demand so far of 8,124 MW last April 19, already breaching the actual peak demand of 8,111 MW last year.”

Owing to such development in the system then, the Meralco executive reiterated its reminder to customers to "make energy efficiency a way of life." Meralco also proactively provides practical tips on how to manage electricity consumption, which is especially crucial this summer.