NGCP: Partial blackout in Panay caused by maintenance, unplanned shutdowns

The unplanned shutdown of PEDC units 1, 2, and 3 on Friday night and the maintenance shutdown pf PCPC has caused a partial blackout in Panay, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has said.

In an advisory, the NGCP monitored the unplanned shutdown of the three PEDC units involving 316 megawatts at 6:59 p.m.

The PCPC, an operating power station of 135 megawatts, is undergoing a maintenance shutdown until March 30.

"Customers in Negros and Panay are affected," the NGCP said.

"Investigation is ongoing. Updates will be provided as soon as information from all concerned are made available," it added.

According to a power generation restoration update at 11 p.m., the NGCP said 117.8MW is being served by Panay power plants, augmented by 73.6MW from sources elsewhere in the Visayas, for a total of 191.4MW served loads.

"We reiterate that load restoration will be done conservatively, by matching loads to restored generation, to prevent repeated voltage failure," the NGCP said.

The NGCP said that PEDC Unit 2 (83 megwatts) was synchronized to the Panay grid at 9:53 p.m.

"NGCP is monitoring the situation and balancing generation addition with the gradual restoration of remaining affected loads. Load restoration will be done conservatively, by matching loads to restored generation, to prevent repeated voltage failure," the NGCP said.

"Updates will be released hourly or as further details become available," it added. —NB, GMA Integrated News