Philippines: Electricity services in Marawi almost fully restored

Philippines: Electricity services in Marawi almost fully restored

THE electricity services in troubled city of Marawi were almost fully
restored amid the atrocities of the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group, the
Department of Energy (DOE) said Thursday.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the Inter-Agency Task Force on Securing
Energy Facilities (IATFSEF) composed of the Department of Energy, Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the
other industry players moved to secure the Lanao del Sur Electric
Cooperative, Inc. (Lasureco) compound.

Through the IATFSEF, the system operator National Grid Corporation of the
Philippines (NGCP) reported that the Mindanao grid is now under normal
operation, he said.

NGCP initially reported a lower electricity demand in Lanao del Sur reaching
only 5 megawatts (MW) on Wednesday, which increased to 11 MW Thursday, lower
than the usual demand of 17 MW.

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) and Lasureco reported
Thursday that 95 percent of electricity services in Marawi City has been
restored, Cusi said.

When the Maute Group started occupying Marawi on Tuesday, blackout hit the
city. Citing the NEA's report, Cusi said the remaining non-operational
assets were scheduled to be restored Thursday also.

NEA was also monitoring and awaiting ground data for re-energization of
affected towns in the 2nd District of Lanao del Sur, including Wato, Tugaya,
Bacolod Kalawi, Madamba, Madalum, Ganasi, Pualas, and Pagayawan, he said.

"We are pooling our resources and seeking assistance from the AFP and the
PNP to normalize the security situation, protect our people and secure
energy facilities affected by the fighting," Cusi said.

"We must prioritize the safety of our people, especially those personnel on
duty in the energy facilities, and at the same time protect our energy
assets," he added.

At the same time, Cusi said an M-79 grenade allegedly fired by the Maute
Group landed in the Agus 1 and 2 Hydroelectric Plant Complex located in
Lanao del Sur.

With this, he said Palawan Lomondaya, plant manager of the National Power
Corp., was planning to shut down one of the unit to preserve station service
for Agus 1.

Nevertheless, he said the NPC was continuously mobilizing its technical
personnel to ensure the delivery of sufficient supply and to meet the demand
of the consumers.

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law in the whole of Mindanao
due to the peace and order problem in Marawi City.

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Link to Original Article:
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2017/05/25/electricity-services-
marawi-almost-fully-restored-doe-543840

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com