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THE
National Power Corp. (Napocor) Power Economics
Department said power supply in the Luzon grid will
hover around 6,600 megawatts (MW) to 8,000 MW per day
from March to June 2008, meaning power supply would
remain normal during the hot months.
The assurance came amid worries the
scheduled maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya gas
field may cut down power supply to less than enough for
Luzon.
“We just want to assure the public that
we will have enough electricity supply throughout the
summer months, when power consumption is higher than
normal,” said a Napocor statement.
Napocor also allayed fears that the
current routine maintenance being undertaken in the
Malampaya gasfield pipeline will have an effect on the
power situation.
“Everything is normal. In fact, we have
more than enough power supply today, April 4, 2008. Our
available capacity is about 7,600 MW. Peak demand in the
morning is about 6,300 MW. In the afternoon, peak demand
will be 6,400 MW, while the evening peak will be at
6,200 MW. We anticipate the demand to go even lower with
the coming three-day weekend.”
Late Friday Shell
Philippines
Explorations B.V. (Spex) said it has already started up
its gas pipeline with no interruptions in power supply.
Napocor also assured power consumers the
tight supply of coal, felt even in coal-producing
countries like Australia, China, Indonesia and South
Africa, will not adversely affect the operations of its
coal-fired power plants because it has enough in their
plants. It added the Calaca coal stocks even exceed the
forecast consumption of the plant.
Napocor’s other coal-fired power plants
in Luzon—Sual in Pangasinan, Masinloc in Zambales, and
Pagbilao in Quezon—are likewise expected to have normal
coal supply by the second week of April.
“Some of the shipments, like those for
Sual and Pagbilao, have been delivered, while the others
have already been confirmed or are still for
confirmation,” said the Napocor.
Coal has traditionally accounted for
close to one-third of Napocor’s generation mix, because
it is cheaper than fuel oil. But due to the tight coal
supply situation worldwide, Napocor has been shifting
its generation mix in favor of the power plants that use
indigenous fuel sources like hydro, geothermal and
natural gas.
Last year coal accounted for the biggest
share of Napocor’s overall generation mix at 31.37
percent. Geothermal came in second with a 24.98-percent
share, followed by natural gas and hydro with 19.24
percent and 16.34 percent, respectively.
“Our other power plants—particularly
those running on hydro and geothermal—will be available
to ensure continuous power supply. The public can also
count on the power plants that have already been
privatized and are now being operated by their new
owners (e.g., Pantabangan-Masiway, Magat, Ambuklao-Binga,
etc.) to provide their power requirements.” |
