“We are actively coordinating with the Department of Energy (DOE) and other industry stakeholders to ensure readiness to meet the higher demand we anticipate in the coming months, which coincides with the country’s midterm elections,” said Joe R. Zaldarriaga Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications.
System maintenance, upgrading
To ensure uninterrupted power delivery, Meralco has intensified its system maintenance and upgrading activities, reinforcing the reliability of its distribution network.
Even before the start of 2024, Meralco secured additional supply through an emergency power supply agreement for 200 megawatts (MW) to augment baseload supply and shield consumers from the volatile Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.
Meralco continues to promote the Department of Energy’s Interruptible Load Program (ILP), which enables large customers to use their own generator sets or shift operations during grid stress events, thereby sparing households from potential power interruptions. Over 100 companies, with a combined de-loading capacity exceeding 500 MW, are currently enrolled in the ILP within the Meralco franchise area.
Residential power usage typically surges by 20 percent to 33 percent during summer months, prompting Meralco to urge consumers to adopt energy-saving practices to manage costs and reduce grid strain.
“We empower customers to practice energy efficiency not just for lower bills, but to contribute to national power stability,” Zaldarriaga emphasized.
Election-ready
In preparation for the upcoming elections, Meralco has implemented contingency measures and actively participated in mock elections organized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
These dry runs tested Meralco’s response to potential power disruptions such as line faults and fire-related incidents. Its crews and contractors resolved all simulated outages promptly.
The utility has also primed its call center operations to handle increased inquiries and outage reports during the election period.
“Historically, our franchise area has remained stable during elections, but we’re leaving nothing to chance,” said Zaldarriaga. “Our generator sets are ready, and our crews will be strategically deployed to respond swiftly to any emergency.” —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
