The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said it suspended all maintenance activities beginning May 5, in line with contingency plans set by the Commission on Elections for the midterm polls on Monday.
Construction and non-critical maintenance activities near substations and transmission lines are temporarily suspended until May 16.
Maintenance works and construction activities inside substations and within 300 meters of energized power lines are also suspended until next Friday.
All transmission lines were cleared of vegetation and obstructions, as of April 30, except for one line in South Luzon, with the scheduled vegetation trimming along said line still being negotiated with the uncooperative landowner, the NGCP said in a statement May 8.
These contingency measures are set by the NGCP to be consistent with the timeline of activities set by the Comelec in its Resolution 10999 dated May 24, 2024, prescribing the calendar of activities and prohibited acts in line with the national elections, and Resolution 11055, dated Sept. 13 last year, setting the roles of different agencies in ensuring the peaceful and credible conduct of the mid-term elections.
Local absentee voting started April 28, while canvassing and proclamation of winners are set from May 13-19. Uninterrupted and reliable transmission of power must be ensured during this critical period, thus warranting maintenance works and shutdowns to be put on hold.
NGCP is strictly following its contingency measures and coordinating with concerned groups to ensure a power interruption-free election, especially during the crucial periods prescribed by the Comelec, it added.
Based on the updated power outlook, there is sufficient supply on the critical election week. Maintenance activities of power plants were also adjusted to ensure their availability during this period.
The NGCP will activate the 24/7 operations of its overall command center from May 11 until 8 p.m. of May 14, and its critical units, particularly system operations and operations and maintenance, will remain fully staffed and operational.
Line crews, engineers, pilots, maintenance and testing, and other technical personnel are also strategically positioned in substations to respond to line trippings, if any. Administrative and other support teams will also remain on duty.
As early as February, NGCP’s Power Task Force Elections, a special team formed to ensure the security and reliability of the transmission network across the country during the elections, already set out with preparatory activities, it added. ||
