Consumers urged to save energy on long weekend

CONSUMERS are advised to conserve energy this coming long weekend from April 29 to May 1 as one power plant in Luzon is set for an unplanned shutdown.

“The Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the 647 megawatts (MW) Sual Coal-fired Power Plant (CFPP) Unit 1 will undergo an unplanned maintenance from 29 April 2023 – 01 May 2023 to resolve the build-up of a leak from the plant's boiler tube and cleaning of the generator stator lot bar to rectify increase in temperature,” the DOE said in a statement Friday.

The DOE said minimal or no power interruptions, however, are expected despite the shutdown of Sual power plant as the maintenance will be done during a long weekend when power demand is relatively low.

“The DOE also requests public cooperation by rationalizing the use of power during the peak demand hours of 11 a.m.–12 noon, 2 p.m.–3 p.m., and 6 p.m.–7 p.m. During these times, all offices and residences using air conditioners are also encouraged to set their thermostat at 25 degrees Celsius,” it added.

The DOE said it has coordinated with the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), other distribution utilities, and other retail electricity suppliers to activate and expand their Interruptible Load Program (ILP) to soften the demand during the Sual shutdown.

It said medical facilities, through the Department of Health, will be advised to prepare their generators in case of power interruptions during the period.