Visayas to receive reduced power imports from Mindanao

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Visayas grid will receive reduced power imports from Mindanao after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck General Santos City, damaging key energy infrastructure, including power plants, the Department of Energy (DOE) said Tuesday, June 9.

“We do recognize that 450 megawatts (MW) is being exported from Mindanao to Cebu,” said Energy Usec. Mario Marasigan.

“But at the moment we still have normal operation in the market, that means there is ample transfer, but not necessarily the full 450 MW,” he added.

READ: Facing prolonged Visayas power issues, DOE rolls out interventions

Despite the lower power inflow, the DOE assured consumers that the Visayas grid remains stable and is expected to continue operating normally.

Mindanao restoration

According to the DOE,  the major facilities affected are the 300-megawatt (MW) SMC Malita Coal Plant and the 237-MW Sarangani Energy Corporation Coal Plant, whose generating units remain offline pending repairs and assessments as of June 9.

READ: Visayas grid operating normal but…

Transmission facilities sustained damage as well, including the Matanao–General Santos 138-kilovolt line and equipment at the General Santos substation, delaying full restoration in the city.

At the distribution level, South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative has resumed normal operations, while partial outages remain in areas served by DASURECO, SOCOTECO II, and Davao Light, affecting more than 157,000 consumer connections.

The DOE said power restoration efforts are prioritizing hospitals, evacuation centers, water facilities, communications systems, and other critical services.

DOE and National Electrification Administration (NEA) personnel have been deployed to assist electric cooperatives, distribution utilities, and other energy stakeholders in assessing damage and restoring power.

Additionally, the agency said electricity has already been restored in some communities, while inspections of generation, transmission, and distribution facilities continue.

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