The Department of Energy (DOE) continues to closely monitor and coordinate with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and all generation companies during this period of extreme heat where electricity usage is at a record high. Power supply conditions have remained tight since Tuesday, 16 April 2024, resulting in the issuance of Red and Yellow Alerts in the Luzon grid and Yellow Alerts in the Visayas grid.

The DOE extends its thanks to all stakeholders in the power sector for their continuing cooperation in minimizing or avoiding power interruptions despite the Red Alerts. The Interruptible Load Program (ILP) of the distribution utilities (DUs) also contributed significantly to this effort. In the Meralco franchise area, the ILP participants made up of large private users with their own generating units contributed around 300 megawatts.

The DOE reiterates its call for everyone’s cooperation in minimizing power consumption specially at peak hours during the remainder of the hot season. As previously noted, the extremely high temperatures have been affecting the operations of power plants in the grid.

The DOE is likewise coordinating with the concerned generation companies for the return to service of power plants under forced outage.  At the same time, all parties are reminded of their compliance with the Grid Operating and Maintenance Program (GOMP).

Based on the NGCP's monitoring, both the Luzon and Visayas grids reached all-time high peak demands for the year so far. The peak demand in Luzon was recorded at 13,222 MW yesterday, 17 April 2024, at 2:48 PM, while the Visayas grid reached a peak demand of 2,525 MW at 3:34 PM.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), on the other hand, recorded the highest heat index level of 44 degrees Celsius in Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Aborlan, Palawan; and Catarman, Northern Samar, yesterday, 17 April 2024.

Today’s forecast shows that Luzon and Visayas will experience high heat indexes ranging from 42 degrees to 45 degrees today, with areas affected including Aborlan, Palawan at 45 degrees, Dagupan City, Pangasinan at 44 degrees, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan at 44 degrees, and Catarman, Northern Samar at 44 degrees.

For the third consecutive day, a notice of Red Alert was issued, this time from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM, and Yellow Alerts from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM, and 10:00 PM - 11:00 PM in the Luzon Grid.

The Visayas Grid will also experience Yellow Alert from hours 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM. ###