DOE assures no brownouts amid summer heat

The Department of Energy (DOE) said the country is likely to experience "yellow alerts" during the summer season, even as it assured that there will be sufficient electricity supply to avoid any power shortages or issues.

- By GABRIELLI CHRISTEL GALANG

In a PTV interview on Wednesday, April 2, DOE Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan shared the likelihood of yellow alerts, which are issued when a power plant fails, but supply remains sufficient to meet demand.

Marasigan clarified that this will not equate to power outages.

"Based on our simulations, we're not dismissing the chances of yellow alerts. But we'd like to clarify that yellow alerts do not mean brownouts; there [are] just going to be thin reserves," he said.

He also reported that the government has activated an interruptible load program (ILP), which would help stabilize the power grid during high-demand periods and supply shortages.

"If [yellow or red alerts] are unavoidable, there are contingency and mitigating measures to avoid brownouts. Just because [there's a possibility of these alerts] doesn't automatically mean a brownout."