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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senators want power generation companies' accountability for unscheduled power outages

Senators want power generation companies' accountability for unscheduled power outages

Published Apr 24, 2024 08:02 am

Senators on Wednesday, April 24 urged the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to rein in and enforce stricter oversight on power generation companies (gencos) to ensure compliance with their scheduled outages.

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said gencos should be duty-bound to provide transparent details for any of their unplanned outages.

“The DOE and ERC should rein in the gencos to stay true to their scheduled outages and should be required to explain and justify the reasons behind these forced outages,” Escudero said.

“They should be held accountable for any unreasonable or unjustified outage brought about by their negligence, incompetence or their own fault,” he said.

“No amount of ancillary or stand-by power can guarantee sufficient supply nor be able to stabilize the grid if this forced outages continues to persist unchecked,” the senator added.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also urged the DOE to immediately investigate the numerous forced outage of power plants that caused the reduction of supply.

“Historically, the month of May is 3 percent to 5 percent higher interns of demand. That means we will experience more brownouts if power plants will not go on line. DOE should also investigate the reserves that NGCP should have contracted,” Gatchalian said referring to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

He pointed out the reserves acts as a buffer when power supply is low.

“Because of this issues, I will be filing a resolution to inquire on the government’s action or the lack of it in light of the red alerts and what will be the forecast considering that El Niño has created a surge in temperatures,” Gatchalian said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito reiterated his call for the government to focus on the country’s energy needs and infrastructure, especially if the Philippines aims to be competitive in the global market.

“We have a lot of catching up to do…The (Marcos) administration really needs to focus on the energy sector. Our energy requirements are not diminishing, the population is growing, businesses are growing,” Ejercito pointed out in a press briefing.

“We really have to review the EPIRA,” he said, referring to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

Related Tags

jv ejercito Department of Energy (DOE) Chiz Escudero power outages Win Gatchalian Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)
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