DOE: Transmission problem, low supply may have caused Mindanao blackout

The Department of Energy (DOE) cited problems in the transmission system and a shortage in power supply as the possible reasons for the 10-hour massive blackout that hit Mindanao early Thursday.

 

“There is no conclusion at this point, because ang ginagawa natin dito is instead of focusing on what is the cause, although that is of course a concern, the focus actually is restoration,” Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla said at a press conference Thursday morning, according to a report on GMA News' “24 Oras”.

 

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported power transmission in Mindanao was back to normal at 12:18 p.m. The blackout affected 23 provinces including Davao City, NGCP said.

 

Petilla said a more comprehensive investigation on the blackout is now underway, but problems in the transmission system and a shortage in power supply are two possible reasons that caused the prolonged blackout.

 

“The [Pulangi IV Hydroelectric Power Plant in Bukidnon] went down, and right after that, nagsunod-sunod na lahat. The indication is that, if it's the plant, then probably there was a problem with the brake of the plant. If it's the line, then probably it's the line along that area that started it,” Petilla said indicating a problem in the transmission system.

 

But he said a massive blackout could have been prevented if Mindanao had a power reserve.

 

Petilla pointed out that Mindanao not only lacks power reserves but is actually reeling from a shortage of power.
 

“It (massive blackout) can be caused by supply, because kung meron nga tayong reserve, kung bumagsak man yung isang planta, wala tayong problema. So, it can be part of supply, but at the same time, the trippings happened and it cascaded,” Petilla said.

 

Based on DOE's projection for 2014, demand for electricity in Mindanao will still surpass the supply, just like in past years.

 

There are currently four ongoing power plant construction projects in Mindanao namely the Coal-fired Therma South Energy Project in Davao del Sur, EEI Diesel Power Plant in Misamis Oriental, Southern Mindanao Coal-Fired Power Station in Saranggani and MEGC Diesel Powerplant in Iligan City, but these plants can augment the power supply in the region only after 2015, “24 Oras” reported.

 

Petilla said the department is also looking at the possibility of sabotage since President Benigno Aquino III is currently in Malaysia and is set to meet with foreign investors.

 

“I will not rule out anything. Nowadays you cannot really rule out anything but we don't see any indication that there was sabotage,” Petilla said.

 

He added that aside from investigating the massive blackout, DOE is also focusing on restoring power in Davao Oriental, which was hit by Typhoon Pablo in 2012.
 

Aquino, on a visit to Davao Oriental earlier this week, scolded some government officials for the slow restoration of power in the province.

He even called on concerned officials to resign if power in the province cannot be restored immediately.

 

“Buti pa, sa tagal na beses ko na itinanong sa inyo ito, bago ako umalis sa Cateel, kailangan ko ng sagot na matino at maayos. Alam ho nila tayo'y bihira mawalan ng pasensya, wag sana nila subukan,” Aquino was quoted as saying in a speech during his visit.

 

Petilla, meanwhile, vowed to restore power in Davao Oriental within 45 days. “If I don't meet it, bahala na ang presidente sa'kin,” he said.

The Energy secretary previously promised to resign if he failed to restore power in the typhoon-damaged central Philippines by Christmas last year.

Petilla failed and sent in his resignation, but the President chose to keep him on his Cabinet. — Elizabeth Marcelo/JDS, GMA News