• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said ancillary services should not be treated as replacement power for inadequate generation capacity, as it addressed concerns raised by the Department of Energy (DOE) over recent power alerts in the Visayas.
In a statement, NGCP said the alerts were triggered when available generation capacity fell below the level needed to meet electricity demand and ancillary service requirements, following simultaneous outages of several generating units.
Ancillary services are technical support mechanisms used to maintain grid stability and respond to contingencies, providing balance and support to the transmission system, it added.
The grid operator said it remains committed to working with the DOE and other industry stakeholders to strengthen grid reliability, including pursuing additional ancillary service agreements (ASPAs) in compliance with DOE directives.
However, NGCP said ASPAs can only be completed with qualified and available facilities whose technical capability has been validated through prescribed connection, commissioning and testing procedures.
“ASPAs cannot be completed for facilities that are not yet operational or whose technical capability has not yet been established,” NGCP said.
The company stressed that there is no intention to delay the execution of the agreements, adding that timelines depend on the availability of qualified suppliers and their compliance with technical requirements.
NGCP also said it continues to implement transmission projects and other measures aimed at improving power transfer capability across the Visayas.
The company said it is prepared to coordinate closely with the DOE on practical and timely measures to improve grid reliability and ensure more stable electricity service for consumers. | GPB
