Bleak Power Outlook in 2023 Awaits PH

The Philippines may soon face a dire power supply condition in the first half of 2023 due to delays, and stranded power.

This comes as Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla said during a senate briefing on Friday that the country needs every power source available for the first six months of next year.

“The first half of next year will be difficult and we need every source of power in order to bridge that period,” Lotilla said.

Moreover, Lotilla added that the difficult period will come by summertime, noting that the lack of power supply will be mitigated by the cool months during the first quarter of 2023.

“The first quarter will still be a cool quarter. The difficult period is when the hot months come in,” Lotilla added.

The energy chief then noted that there are difficulties in delivering power and that the department is doing everything in its power to address the problem.

“There is stranded power from Bataan coming to Metro Manila and having that in time for the difficult months will be important,” he said, adding, “we also have some solar plants that are coming on-stream, also toward the first quarter of next year, and that also requires transmission line and substation access in order to be utilized.”

“That will help address some of these things,” Lotilla said.

DOE said earlier that delays on liquefied natural gas projects coupled with Malampaya’s lack of capability to produce more gas contribute to the negative impact on the power supply of the country come summertime.

Moreover, DOE is faced with problems in providing a stable power supply and transmission.

Lotilla also said that he hopes that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines may be able to connect Mindanao to Visayas.

“We hope that the National Grid Corp. will be on time in energizing the Mindanao to Visayas interconnection because of the 2023 scenarios we have presented,” he said.

Lotilla added “there would be at least 400 MW to 800 MW potential capacity that would be stranded in Mindanao.” (GFB)