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According to the Philippine Independent Power Producers Association, Inc. (PIPPA), its members aim to address power plant outages as quickly as possible.
PIPPA President Anne E. Montelibano stated that their members adhere to the no-scheduled maintenance policy during summer. “We make sure our plants run as efficiently as possible,” she said. “It is in our best interest to ensure that we are operating and that there is stable supply.”
She added that members are trying to fix the problems and restore power plant operations as quickly as possible.
PIPPA is made up of 28 power producers with a total generating capacity of approximately 18,132 megawatts (MW). As of 2022, its member producers supplied around 79.2% of the nation’s electricity.
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Luzon’s increased demand during the hot & dry season
Last March 5, 2025, The Luzon grid was issued its first yellow alert of the year due to rising projected electricity demand and unexpected power plant shutdowns. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that peak demand reached 11,829 MW, while available capacity stood at 12,488 MW.
Around 3,362.3 MW was taken offline as 12 power plants experienced unplanned shutdowns while 16 others operated at reduced capacity.
Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla explained that electricity demand rises during summer due to the greater use of cooling devices like refrigerators, fans, and air conditioners. “Without mindful consumption, this surge could strain the power grid, potentially leading to supply challenges and price fluctuations in the spot market,” he warned.
Due to recent heat index levels, the DOE projected peak electricity demand to reach 14,769 MW in Luzon, 3,111 MW in Visayas, and 2,789 MW in Mindanao.
Although electricity demand is expected to increase during the summer, the DOE reports that new developments will add 1,890 MW to Luzon’s supply and 193 MW to Visayas.
It stated, “Additionally, the Luzon-Visayas and Visayas-Mindanao high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnections enhance supply availability and improve reserve margins by enabling capacity sharing of 250 MW and 450 MW, respectively.”
(Also read: Practical Home Energy Solutions for Filipinos: Tips to Reduce Consumption and Save Costs)
Consumers urged to conserve energy
With rising temperatures and the dry season beginning, the DOE urged the public to conserve electricity to prevent power shortages. Lotilla stressed the importance of efficiency to maintain supply stability.
“By making simple adjustments in daily routines, consumers can contribute to a more sustainable and efficient use of electricity, helping to prevent power interruptions and ensuring that energy resources remain sufficient throughout the summer season,” he noted.
The DOE advised shifting high-energy activities to off-peak hours to reduce grid strain. Residents were encouraged to limit air conditioner use, switch to fans or natural ventilation, and opt for inverter models to cut energy consumption.
Meanwhile, businesses are urged to maintain equipment, use LED lighting and energy management systems, and schedule high-energy tasks during off-peak hours. They are also encouraged to adopt solar power and ensure unused devices are switched off to improve efficiency.
Sources:
https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2025/03/06/657813/ipps-promise-swift-resolution-to-outages/
https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/3/doe-summer-power-demand-expected-to-exceed-la-year-s-levels
https://doe.gov.ph/press-releases/doe-urges-public-adopt-energy-efficiency-measures-summer-begins