Gov’t asked to address looming power shortage
“MAGKAKAMBAL ang problema sa suplay ng kuryente at taas-singil. Ang nakakadismaya ay dalawa lang ang pagpipilian ng konsyumers – blackouts o dagdag na singil. The consumers should not be forced to choose between two unpleasant alternatives. Isa lang ang dapat ibigay sa atin gaya ng ipinangako —an affordable and reliable supply of electricity.”
Thus said Risa Hontiveros as she urged the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to step up and proactively address the power shortage looming over the country.
“Taon-taon na lang problema ang blackouts at kakulangan ng suplay. Taon-taon na rin pinananawagan sa DOE at NGCP na kumilos sila pero bakit parang wala pa ring nangyayari? Both of these agencies should step up and put an end to this energy crisis once and for all,” Hontiveros said.
She added that the DOE and NGCP should also provide a transparent power and rates outlook for the coming days and months following the unexpected power outages across Luzon and the Visayas due to the tripping of NGCP’s Bolo-Masinloc transmission lines.
The glitch not only affected the supply in Luzon, but also the exports to the Visayas, which had been running low on supplies since last week. The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) had to implement manual load dropping, which caused power interruptions that lasted several minutes in many areas. Trading was also suspended at the WESM.
“Either the energy officials or the entire power system itself, is suffering from integrity problems. Mayroon nang reseta na noon pa na-prescribe para lutasin ang parehong problema ng suplay at reserba pero hindi sinusunod. Pangakong napako na naman,” Hontiveros stated.
The senator further warned that the power shortage brought on by the coming El Nino and the resulting deficit outputs at the Malampaya and hydroelectric projects would have a negative impact on prices.
In addition, Hontiveros expressed significant concern that this worsening power crisis lends credence to the dubious argument that nuclear power is the only viable solution to the supply problems.
“Nagbibigay lang ito ng pagkakataon na maipuslit ang nuclear option sa bansa at sabihing ito ang mabilisang solusyon sa problema. Hindi ito ang dapat bigyang-prayoridad dahil kahit sa United States ay hindi minamadali ang roll out ng small modular reactors dahil sa mahigpit na regulasyon ng mga estado,” the Senator said.
She argued that instead of incorporating nuclear power into the current power mix that can’t even be regulated properly, the government should prioritize the rapid development and deployment of distributed renewable energy systems, which offer greater variability, flexibility, sustainability, and the possibility for energy democracy to flourish in local communities.
