MANILA -- Over 800,000 consumers are without power as a result of the massive earthquake that struck Cebu barely a week after severe tropical storm Opong devastated parts of the country.
Based on the data from the National Electrification Adminstration, as of 9 a.m., there are 819,843 consumer connections that are experiencing power outage.
A total of 24 electric cooperatives in 10 provinces and 4 regions are under monitoring due to the Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake in Cebu.
A total of 15 electric cooperatives are operating normally, while 4 are experiencing partial power interruption, and 5 cooperatives are experiencing total power outage.
TRANSMISSION LINES
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that there are 6 transmission lines affected by the earthquake, including a submarine cable connecting Luzon and Leyte. The Daan Bantayan substation in Cebu, where the submarine cable is connected, was also damaged by the earthquake.
The NGCP said it cannot promise a timeline for the restoration of power, particularly in Samar and Leyte provinces, due to serious damage in many of its facilities.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives or Philreca has issued an update that 9 of its member electric cooperatives are currently experiencing partial power interruption and total power interruption due to the impact of the earthquake.
PRIORITIZE HOSPITALS
The Department of Energy said its power restoration efforts will prioritize hospitals, water stations, and other lifeline facilities vital to public safety and well-being.
"Technical teams have been deployed to secure power supply for these establishments, while mobile generator sets are being ready to provide backup electricity for health centers, evacuation sites, and other essential community services as restoration works continue," the DOE said in a statement.
The DOE said that as of 9 a.m., 214 out of 309 affected municipalities in the Visayas already have power.
Earlier this morning, the NGCP issued a Yellow Alert following the tripping of 27 power plants, resulting in approximately 1,658 MW being unavailable to the grid, which subsequently affected several distribution utilities in Visayas.
"Time is of the essence, and the Department of Energy, together with the entire energy sector, is working with unwavering urgency to restore power to every household, establishment, and community in the Visayas. We are fully committed to providing the necessary resources and support to help these communities recover and rebuild," Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said.
Meanwhile, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines has suspended market operations in the Visayas grid on Tuesday evening.
MASBATE POWER
Garin said the estimated amount needed to restore power in Masbate, which was devastated by Opong, is around P400 million. More than a thousand electricity posts were damaged by the storm.
More than 50 teams from various electric cooperatives are set to be deployed to the island but some of them got stranded in Cebu after the strong earthquake last night.