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