NGCP warns of “probable grid collapse” in Mindanao
System
operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has warned of
probable grid collapse and prolonged brownouts if bombing of its transmission
facilities would not be abated.
“Mindanao
is facing probable grid collapse if the situation persists since there is only
one line remaining to deliver power from the Agus hydro-power complex – the
138-kilovolt Maramag-bunawan line,” the transmission firm had noted.
The company
added “if the said line is in any way compromised, no power will flow from the
remaining Agus hydro facilities to south in Mindanao where the bulk of power
demand is located.”
In
particular, it noted that “both Davao City and General Santos City are located
in the South, and are in real danger of being completely cut off from the bulk
supply coming from the hydro facilities.”
The bombed
transmission line servicing Agus 1 and 2 plants had been “unserviceable since
Christmas Eve when it was bombed by unidentified lawless elements.”
NGCP has
noted that failed negotiations with landowners of which property is straddled
by transmission facilities had been hobbling restoration efforts on the power
lines.
“The owners
of the property where the tower is located – Johnny, Intan and Naguib Sambitori
– refused NGCP entry to repair the damaged transmission facility.” the
transmission firm has reiterated.
It stressed
that “negotiation with the Sambitoris were unsuccessful because the owners
alleged that government failed to pay their claims long ago.”
Just two
weeks ago, two towers of NGCP – including that tower #25 – had been downed by
bombings orchestrated by anarchic elements and this cut off the Agus 1 and 2
hydropower plants from the grid’s supply.
“As a
result, as much as 150 megawatts of power had been isolated from Mindanao
consumers,” the company said.
NGCP has
emphasized that longer rotational power interruption may be expected then for
the affected areas in the island.
“Failure to restore tower will aggravate the supply
deficiency in the region,” the transmission company has stresses further.
The transmission firm thus reiterated its appeal to the
public and consumers as well as law enforcement
agencies-primarily the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces
of the Philippines-“To help monitor the safety of the towers so that
transmission services remain uninterrupted.”
It likewise extended its plea to the local government
officials and community leaders in Mindanao “to help the identity the
perpetrators of the bombing to prevent longer power interruption.” By: Myrna M.
Velasco
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