With majority of power plants operating normally, the Catanduanes grid has 50% more available power than required this summer.
Based on the Daily Power Supply & Demand Power Outlook issued by the First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (FICELCO) last June 2, 2022, the total generator capacity available for dispatch was pegged at 18.8 megawatts, compared to the highest system demand of 12.082mW.
This indicates that the net system reserve is 6.324mW.
The grid’s main supplier, Sunwest Water & Electric Co. (SUWECO), accounts for 17.6mW while the remaining power plants of the National Power Corporation (NPC) has a total available capacity of 1.2mW.
The power provider’s Solong Hydroelectric Power Plant in San Miguel, which is rated at 2.1mW, is producing just 1 megawatt due to low water levels while the other HPP at Hitoma, Caramoran contributed a mere 300 kilowatts as two of its three units are still undergoing testing.
Meanwhile, all of its 17 modular diesel gensets at its rented compound at the FICELCO headquarters and at the Viga diesel power plant are operational.
On the other hand, NPC’s 1.8mW Balongbong hydropower plant in Bato is also operational, producing a total of 1.2mW.
At the Marinawa DPP, all six available gensets, including the 3.6mW Daihatsu genset, are operational, with three gensets on standby for use as Phase-in, Phase-Out units.