MAP wants to ensure brownout-free election day (Sabong News)
Author
Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
Date
APRIL 21 2022
The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has proposed a five-point recommendation to alleviate the projected power shortages, particularly in the next 30 days that may affect the May 9, 2022 elections.
Foremost, MAP said in a statement that electricity users should adopt energy efficiency measures to save energy in their respective households, offices, and businesses. This practice can be done by everybody and reduce the power demand immediately.
Second, for distribution utilities and electric cooperatives in major demand areas (greater Metro Manila) to prepare for or initiate their respective Interruptible Load Program (ILP) throughout their franchise areas.
Third, MAP urged the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to urgently contract additional reserve power and link with power plants that are not yet connected.
Fourth is for the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) should suspend temporarily the Secondary Price Cap (SPC) at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). The ERC should review the status after two months.
Lastly, MAP said the government should treat the protection and sustainability of the country’s energy infrastructure as a national security concern and thus increase the priority on longer-term development. It is imperative to develop an energy transition plan that places the Filipino and the Philippine context at its center, adheres to the key principles of climate equity and energy security, and supports the fulfilment of the country’s development goals.
“ The government and the private sector must craft power generation-specific plans to stimulate the building of new generation capacity and avert possible supply gaps in the next 10 years,” the MAP statement concluded.
