Update on Davao Light's Monthly Rate Schedule for September..

There's a little bit of good news for Davao Light and Power Company power
consumers. The onset of the rainy/wet season which virtually filled up the
hydro plants capacity has greatly offset the PBR related increase in the
Distribution Charges of Davao Light and Power Company.

The total kwh increase over the August 2010 billing month is just an average
of 30 centavos per kwh for secondary customers and just about P 100/KW for
load customers.

This compares to the ERC Mandated Refund by the NGCP to Mindanao power consumers
for the billing month of July ( reflected on the consumer bills August 2010 ) of
P 229.10/KW.

Let us pray for the full normalization of the level in the Lanao and Bukidnon
watershed areas, so that the fuel-fed plants will have minimal use.

SEMA Power Outage Explanation ( August 24, 2010 )

The total power outage the whole Davao Region ( SEMA )
experienced yesterday at around 5.30 pm was caused by
a fault in the Kibawe Maramag line, according to the
NGCP last night.

This is a normal occurrence if the reserves are thin
to cover the start-up current required when the load
starts to peak up.

There should be proper coordination between load customers
and NGCP to avert future incidents of this kind.

The author is available anytime to meet indutry leaders\
to explain this phenomena and other vital matters.

DAVAO LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY'S INCREASE TEMPERED BY NGCP DECREASE

Yes, Davao Light and Power Company Increased its Distribution Charges
by 29.58 centavos for residential customers effective August 2010 Billing.

However, the NGCP was ordered by ERC to Credit Back P 229.10/ KW it
charged MINDANAO Consumers last February and March 2010.

Hence the marked decrease in the TOTAL POWER COST

It's almost August, get ready to tighten belts as Distribution Rates of DLPC go up.

It is almost August, 2010.

WE DLPC COSTUMERS SHOULD TIGHTEN BELTS AS DLPC IS SLATED TO
IMPLEMENT THE ERC APPROVED PBR RATES OF DLPC, to the tune
of P 0.30 per kwh.


The author is still recovering from the Dengue Attack which
affected him and his 3 kids.

DLPC May 2010 and projected July Rates

For lack of material time and finances, please wait for a few
days for the final post.

King Cobra's getting visible... signs of an earthquake

This blog is in reaction to the reported sightings of King Cobras in Mati Davao Oriental.


If you read my earlier posts, there is ample time to conduct emergency drills all over the
Island of Mindanao, specially the major cities.

Unusual animal behavior such as these report incidents are portents of a magnitude 8
quake to happen within two weeks.

Of course we do have to PRAY that these events will not come to pass and compound
our problems in electric power.

Mindanao Power Deficiency hits a peak of 748 MW yesterday

The Power Deficiency hit an all time high of 748 MW yesterday March 10, 2010.

This author sounded and echoes the call of Secretary Angelo Reyes for the implementation
of Demand-Side Management and energy efficiency undertakings.

Demand - Side Managment and Energy Efficiency has been my lifetime advocacy since 1981.

Today's Congressional Hearing on the Mindanao Power Crisis brought to fore my advocacy
in the public limelight for a purpose, no its a double purpose, you may contact me at 09102929323
to know what those purposes are.

I SPOKE TOO SOON, POWER DEFICIT IN MINDANAO TO HIT 900 MW

I think it is better to be pro-active in the power supply problem
here in Mindanao, today is a Sunday, but the generation deficiency has reach
652 Mega Watts:

It will might as well hit 900 MW before the Araw ng Dabaw celebration.

THE NATIONWIDE POWER CRISIS TODAY

POWER SYSTEM UPDATE as of March 1, 2010*

Power transmission utility and system operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reports the power grid status today as follows:

Grid	Available Capacity (in megawatts, MW)	Peak Demand (in megawatts, MW)	Reserves (in megawatts, MW)	Generation Deficiency (in megawatts, MW)
LUZON	6,177	6,655	0	478
VISAYAS	1,133	1,178	0	45
MINDANAO	820	1,210	0	390

Luzon grid, which previously had all running power plants connected and synchronized to the grid, now has a generation deficiency of 478 MW. The sudden decrease in the available capacity when compared with previous days' figures is attributed to the shutdown of two major plants namely, Sual 1 (647 MW) operated by Team Energy Philippines and Masinloc 1 (315 MW) owned and operated by AES Corp.

Outages lasting two to three hours will be experienced by Luzon grid's load customers. Metro Manila and Luzon residents are advised to coordinate directly with their respective distribution utilities and electric cooperatives for information on the power interruption schedule and list of specific areas which will experience temporary power outage.

Visayas grid has a generation deficiency of 45 MW. Salcon Power's Cebu Thermal Power Plant Unit 1 is operational and already loaded with 48 MW but Unit 2 with a rated capacity of 55 MW is under preventive maintenance shutdown. Estimated completion date of maintenance works is on March 7.

Mindanao grid continues to experience generation deficiency of up to 390 MW today. This is attributed mainly to limited available capacities from hydro power plants, most of which have water reservoirs that are drying up due to the el nino.

There has been an 80% reduction in the capabilities of National Power Corporation's (Napocor) Agus Hydro-electric Power Plants. Pulangi Plant, also owned by Napocor, experienced 90% reduction in capabilities. Lake Lanao elevation as of 0600H yesterday is 699.08 meters, which is below the critical level of 699.15 meters.

Also contributing to limitations in Mindanao's available capacities is the non-availability of Iligan Diesel Power Plant (35 MW) and Power Barge 117 (100 MW).

NGCP will continue to monitor power grid conditions. As System Operator, it operates the power system or grid in accordance with the Philippine Grid Code. It is also the country's only utility responsible for transmitting high-voltage power from generators to distributors. NGCP does not own nor operate and maintain any power generation and distribution facilities. ###

*Data as of 0600H

The current power crisis and its effect on consumers

The Mindanao Grid is currently suffering from a Generation Shortfall of over 400 MW.

Power interruption will stay with us as long as the El Niño Phenomenon will not end, which
is expected to by the start of July 2010.

With the significant use of bunker fuel / diesel for generation, the Generation Charge will
shoot up by an average of P 2.00 / Kwh should the cost be instantaneously be recovered.

To mitigate the effects of the power interruption, everyone is enjoined to do their laundry
and ironing activities after 10 Pm., this way the Peak Demand can still be shaved significantly.

NGCP FEB 24 2010 ADVISORY

POWER SYSTEM UPDATE as of February 24, 2010

Power transmission utility and system operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) noted that there has been a slight increase in the power reserves of Luzon grid from 662 MW yesterday to 684 MW today.

This could be attributed to the increased capabilities of Kepco’s Ilijan Plant Block B from 400 MW to 450 MW and Binga Plant (owned by SN Aboitiz Power) from 0 MW to 75 MW. Casecnan Plant of Casecnan Power has also been producing an additional 65 MW for the grid.

With these sufficient reserves, the Luzon grid remains stable and under normal status. Provided all running power plants stay connected and synchronized to the grid, there will not be any outages among Luzon grid customers.

The power grid status today is as follows:

Grid	Available Capacity (in megawatts, MW)	Peak Demand (in megawatts, MW)	Reserves (in megawatts, MW)	Generation Deficiency (in megawatts, MW)
LUZON	7,579	6,895	684	0
VISAYAS	1,117	1,155	0	38
MINDANAO	863	1,220	0	357

To augment the available capacity of Visayas, Luzon will be exporting around 25 MW to 40 MW of power there.

In Mindanao, most hydroelectric power plant units owned and operated by the National Power Corporation (NPC) still have very limited capabilities due to the low water levels at reservoirs. There has been an 80% and 60% reduction in the available capacities of the Agus and Pulangi Plants, respectively.

As a result of the continuing generation deficiency in Mindanao, the system may be forced to undertake load curtailment to ration the available power to load customers in the said grid.

The Agus Plants are running at 137 MW out of total rated capacity of 694 MW while Pulangi Plant is running at 115 MW out of the total rated capacity of 255 MW.

NGCP's "load customers" refer to grid users which require the supply and delivery of electricity for their own use or for distribution purposes. Distribution utilities (i.e. electric cooperatives and private and government-owned utilities), some large industries, and directly connected government and non-government entities are some of NGCP's "load customers."

Household customers are advised to coordinate with distribution utilities in their area for information on the schedule and areas to be affected by the power interruptions.

NGCP will continue to monitor power grid conditions. As System Operator, it operates the power system or grid in accordance with the Philippine Grid Code. It is also the country's only utility responsible for transmitting high-voltage power from generators to distributors. NGCP does not own nor operate and maintain any power generation and distribution facilities. ###

UPDATES FROM NGCP

POWER SYSTEM UPDATE as of February 22, 2010, 1300H

National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), as the System Operator, has announced that the continuing generation deficiency in the Mindanao grid has compelled the system to curtail the power load transmitted to grid customers from 1000H to 2200H today.

Generation deficiency occurs when the electricity supply generated from power plants is too low and may not be enough to meet the demand of power grid users.

The said deficiency is caused by the following:

• Reduced capabilities of hydro electric plants due to low elevation at water reservoirs (70% reduction in the available capabilities at Agus and Pulangi Plants)
• Non-availability of Iligan Diesel Power Plant (35 MW)
• Planned outage of Power Barge 117 Unit 2 (50 MW)

A total of around 400 MW of power is expected to be curtailed in the Mindanao grid at 1300H.

Load curtailment is implemented to ration the available power and to ensure the reliability and stability of the entire power network.

Mindanao customers are advised to coordinate directly with distribution utilities or electric cooperatives in their area for the complete list of areas affected and the schedule of power interruptions.

Meanwhile, in the Visayas grid, available capacity this afternoon is 1,188 MW while demand is 1,165 MW. Power reserve is now 23 MW, a slight improvement from the 5 MW this morning. Expected to further improve grid conditions is the cutting in and synchronization to the grid of Power Barge 102 (5 MW) at around 1700H today.

Luzon grid continues to be stable and under normal status. Available capacity in Luzon grid this afternoon is 7,376 MW while demand is 6,624 MW. Power reserve is now 752 MW

Updates on Mindanao Generation Shortfall

THE SHORTAGE IN GENERATED POWER IN MINDANAO HAS
STABILIZE AT 159 - 160 MW ON A WEEK-DAY

LESS THAN 100 MW ON A WEEK-END

LOAD SHIFTING BY ALL SECTORS CAN STILL SAVE THE DAY
FOR MINDANAO POWER USERS.

RESIDENTIAL USERS CAN
SHIFT THEIR WASHING MACHINE AND FLAT IRON USAGE
TO 10 PM AND BEYOND. ( SAVINGS IS 40 MW )

MANUFACTURING SECTORS CAN SHIFT TO GRAVEYARD
AND FREE THE 5 PM TO 10 PM PEAK HOURS ( SAVINGS 100 MW )

EL NIñO Starts the Brownout/Blackout Season in Mindanao

El Niño starts the Brownout/Blackout Season in Mindanao.

The El Niño phenomenon has started the Brown-out/Black-out Season in Mindanao.
With the hydro plants operating at less than 50 percent of their dependable capacity.

The peak demand today was forecasted at 1,195 megawatts, while
the available capacity is only at 1,108 megawatts
leaving a deficit generation capacity of 87 mega watts