ERC to power generators: Explain forced outages

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will investigate the recent forced outages of several power plants, resulting in the placement of the Luzon and Visayas grids on red and yellow alert.

- PATRICK MIGUEL

Several power plants are on forced outage or running on derated capacity, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) announced on Tuesday.

ERC Chairperson and CEO Monalisa Dimalanta said the commission will collect information and review reports from affected stakeholders to find causes of the forced outages of several power plants.

"Based on our findings, we will formalize the investigation to determine compliance or non-compliance by the relevant stakeholders and implement appropriate measures to impose penalties on any lapses and address issues that may have contributed to the adverse situation," Dimalanta said.

ERC is mandated to review stakeholders' performance "to ensure compliance with reporting requirements, maintenance and technical standards," including its observance of allowable outage limitations.

Moreover, power plant operators were directed by the commission to submit its estimated timelines for the resumption of operations.