Probe on energy shortage requested

SEN. Raffy Tulfo has filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the power supply shortage threatening the nation, following the declaration of red and yellow alerts over the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids.

A yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is inadequate to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement. A red alert, on the other hand, is issued when the power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement.

These images taken on April 24, 2024 show the Dolores substation of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in Taytay, Rizal. The NGCP raised a red alert this Wednesday due to the shortage of power supply and power reserves in its Luzon power plants. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE These images taken on April 24, 2024 show the Dolores substation of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in Taytay, Rizal. The NGCP raised a red alert this Wednesday due to the shortage of power supply and power reserves in its Luzon power plants. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE These images taken on April 24, 2024 show the Dolores substation of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in Taytay, Rizal. The NGCP raised a red alert this Wednesday due to the shortage of power supply and power reserves in its Luzon power plants. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE These images taken on April 24, 2024 show the Dolores substation of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in Taytay, Rizal. The NGCP raised a red alert this Wednesday due to the shortage of power supply and power reserves in its Luzon power plants. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE These images taken on April 24, 2024 show the Dolores substation of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in Taytay, Rizal. The NGCP raised a red alert this Wednesday due to the shortage of power supply and power reserves in its Luzon power plants. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE These images taken on April 24, 2024 show the Dolores substation of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in Taytay, Rizal. The NGCP raised a red alert this Wednesday due to the shortage of power supply and power reserves in its Luzon power plants. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE These images taken on April 24, 2024 show the Dolores substation of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in Taytay, Rizal. The NGCP raised a red alert this Wednesday due to the shortage of power supply and power reserves in its Luzon power plants. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE

“It is important to determine the cause of the insufficiency of power supply to meet consumer demand, including the cause of power plant outages and unscheduled shutdowns,” said Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy.

The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines reported that the red and yellow alerts issued for both the Luzon and Visayas grids have caused a significant increase in market prices.

In Luzon, prices have surged from P5.55 per kilowatt hour (kwh) to P13.39 per kwh, while in Visayas, prices rose from P5.73 per kwh to P14.64 per kwh.

“There is a need to ensure that the innocent consumers should not bear the increases in the market prices,” Tulfo said.

A hearing on the issue was scheduled for May 6.