JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Jul 13, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- GE South Africa Technologies (Pty) Limited (GESAT) today announced an agreement to provide Transnet Limited with 10 medium speed, diesel-powered generators for Transnet's new multi-product pipeline currently being constructed between Durban and Johannesburg. GESAT is GE Transportation's South African subsidiary in partnership with the Mineworkers Investment Company (MIC).
The generators, ranging in electrical power output from 2.8MW to 5MW offer a combined total capacity of approximately 34MW. The GE generators will provide emergency power to the pipeline pump stations and terminals for Transnet's new pipeline that will supply diesel, petrol and jet fuel to South African inland markets.
According to Jaco de Vries, New Multi-Products Pipeline (NMPP) procurement manager, "GESAT played an integral part in preparing for some of the NMPP project's key deliverables with some of the best delivery schedules available on a global level."
"We were able to secure this contract by committing to meet the project's key challenges: tight delivery deadlines, technical performance, reliability, fuel efficiency and cost constraints," said Gavin Mandy, GE Transportation Stationary Power sales manager for Sub Saharan Africa.
The generator's GE diesel engine is based on the fuel-efficient engines used in GE's locomotives and feature reduced service intervals and ease of maintenance.
"Over the past 18 months, GE Transportation in Southern Africa has delivered over 80MW of medium speed generator power for industrial applications," said Thami Mbele, President of GE South Africa. "This proven experience and expertise in operating large industrial loads is a core capability of our company and in partnering with Transnet, GE is working to ensure that fuel needs will be met for years to come."
Factory testing of the generators will begin this month, while the first of the generators are scheduled to arrive in September 2010.
About Transnet Pipelines
Transnet Pipelines (TPL) is an operating division of Transnet Limited and is the principal operator of South Africa's fuel pipeline system that comprises over 3,000 kilometers (1,900 miles) of pipelines. TPL's clients are the major oil companies operating in South Africa. The business handles an annual average throughput of some 16 billion liters of liquid fuel and more than 450 million cubic meters of gases. The liquid products include crude oil, diesel, leaded and unleaded petrol, aviation turbine fuels and natural gas (methane rich gas).
GE Transportation in South Africa
GE Transportation has a long and successful history of operations and activities throughout Africa. As a global technology, GE Transportation is committed to help delivering world-class transportation, infrastructure development, and technology solutions -- a key prerequisite for sustainable economic growth. In December 2009, GE South African Technologies (GESAT) signed a landmark contract with Transnet Limited to supply Transnet Freight Rail with 100 locomotives. In 2010, for the second time in three years, GESAT was honored at the Africa Rail Awards as the "Best Technology Provider."
About GE Transportation
Established more than 100 years ago, GE Transportation, a unit of General Electric Company /quotes/comstock/13*!ge/quotes/nls/ge (GE 15.25, +0.04, +0.26%) , is a global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, marine, drilling, mining and wind industries. GE provides freight and passenger locomotives, railway signaling and communications systems, information technology solutions, marine engines, motorized drive systems for mining trucks and drills, high-quality replacement parts and value added services. GE Transportation is headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, and employs approximately 8,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit www.getransportation.com.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ge-to-provide-transnet-pipelines-with-power-generators-2010-07-13?reflink=MW_news_stmp
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
GB Power Company brings in generator units
FREEPORT - Grand Bahama Power Company has brought in 12 megawatts of rental generator units to meet the load demands over the next six months.
CEO Allan Kelley said the units will allow the company to provide more reliable service at lower fuel costs to customers here on the island.
The generator units, which are being rented from a company in Panama at a fixed cost of $1.5 million for six months, are being installed at the power plant's Peel Street site.
"This is something new at the plant that has not been done (before), Mr Kelley said on Monday.
"This is our response to the issues we had in early May when we had difficulty meeting our customers load requirement for a 38 hour period. It is something that we decided that we needed to do to provide our customers with a more reliable supply," he said.
Mr Kelley reported that of their two units - a combustion turbine unit and a steam unit - are currently out of service for repairs.
"We feel our first responsibility is to ensure that we keep the lights on. We have taken the initiative to bring 12 megawatts of rental generation onto the island...that will take us up until the October/November time period," he said.
The generator units arrived last week and six are currently in operation at the plant. They are one megawatt diesel generator units that operate on oil.
According to Kelley, the rental units will not only have the benefit of making its system more reliable than it would have been, but will provide the added benefit of making fuel costs lower.
"These will, for the most part, be taking the place of some less efficient units we have," he explained.
The combustion turbines at the plant use twice as much oil to produce one kilowatt of electricity as one of the rental units, said Mr Kelley.
"So, in addition to being more reliable, they will help to keep down our fuel surcharge," said the CEO. The fuel cost will be less as a result of these (rental units) being here."
http://www.tribune242.com/news/06292010_EP-GB-Power_news
CEO Allan Kelley said the units will allow the company to provide more reliable service at lower fuel costs to customers here on the island.
The generator units, which are being rented from a company in Panama at a fixed cost of $1.5 million for six months, are being installed at the power plant's Peel Street site.
"This is something new at the plant that has not been done (before), Mr Kelley said on Monday.
"This is our response to the issues we had in early May when we had difficulty meeting our customers load requirement for a 38 hour period. It is something that we decided that we needed to do to provide our customers with a more reliable supply," he said.
Mr Kelley reported that of their two units - a combustion turbine unit and a steam unit - are currently out of service for repairs.
"We feel our first responsibility is to ensure that we keep the lights on. We have taken the initiative to bring 12 megawatts of rental generation onto the island...that will take us up until the October/November time period," he said.
The generator units arrived last week and six are currently in operation at the plant. They are one megawatt diesel generator units that operate on oil.
According to Kelley, the rental units will not only have the benefit of making its system more reliable than it would have been, but will provide the added benefit of making fuel costs lower.
"These will, for the most part, be taking the place of some less efficient units we have," he explained.
The combustion turbines at the plant use twice as much oil to produce one kilowatt of electricity as one of the rental units, said Mr Kelley.
"So, in addition to being more reliable, they will help to keep down our fuel surcharge," said the CEO. The fuel cost will be less as a result of these (rental units) being here."
http://www.tribune242.com/news/06292010_EP-GB-Power_news
Friday, May 21, 2010
China NDRC to Check Power Generators for Illegal Price Discounts
China’s economic planning agency said it will carry out checks on power generators and local governments to make sure they are abiding by new rules banning the sale of electricity at discounts to high-consumption companies.
Earnings from such discounts will be confiscated and suppliers will be fined up to five times the value of the income they received from the illegal sales, the National Development and Reform Commission said on its website today.
The checks will be carried out by six government agencies including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Energy Bureau, according to the statement.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-05-21/china-ndrc-to-check-power-generators-for-illegal-price-discounts.html
Friday, May 7, 2010
CERC notifies new grid code to promote solar power generation
Solar energy producers will not be penalised even if they do not supply promised power to the grid. In order to further incentivise solar power generation, power sector regulator central electricity regulatory commission (CERC) on Wednesday notified new Indian electricity grid code (IEGC).
The move is aimed at insulating solar power generators from losses arising due to fluctuation in generation. Solar power generation is based on solar irradiation that fluctuates and is beyond anybody’s control, CERC secretary Alok Kumar told Financial Chronicle over phone.
Grid connected power stations are normally required to submit their schedule of power supply to state loading dispatch centers. Any shortages in supply is penalised through imposition of unscheduled inter-change (UI) charges. Solar plants have been also exempted from submitting the power supply schedule to grid as the technology is not available in India.
A CERC statement said that financial burden arising due to all fluctuation in new solar energy plants and 30 per cent variation in new wind energy plants will be borne by states.
This could, however, mean increase in electricity cost for end users. “These (solar and wind) project developers and host states will not be at disadvantage from such fluctuations,” the statement said. Under the new IEGC, CERC also tightened operational parameters for power generating stations to ensure better performance.
The control area jurisdiction in terms of load despatch centre has also been revised. Generating stations supplying to more than one states would now be in domain of regional load despatch centres, except where the host state has long term power purchase agreement of more than 50 per cent capacity.
All users of inter-state grid including distribution utilities will also be directly responsible for grid discipline and load management, in addition to state load despatch centres. Utilities have been mandated to prepare and implement automatic load management schemes from next year.
http://www.mydigitalfc.com/news/cerc-notifies-new-grid-code-promote-solar-power-generation-842
The move is aimed at insulating solar power generators from losses arising due to fluctuation in generation. Solar power generation is based on solar irradiation that fluctuates and is beyond anybody’s control, CERC secretary Alok Kumar told Financial Chronicle over phone.
Grid connected power stations are normally required to submit their schedule of power supply to state loading dispatch centers. Any shortages in supply is penalised through imposition of unscheduled inter-change (UI) charges. Solar plants have been also exempted from submitting the power supply schedule to grid as the technology is not available in India.
A CERC statement said that financial burden arising due to all fluctuation in new solar energy plants and 30 per cent variation in new wind energy plants will be borne by states.
This could, however, mean increase in electricity cost for end users. “These (solar and wind) project developers and host states will not be at disadvantage from such fluctuations,” the statement said. Under the new IEGC, CERC also tightened operational parameters for power generating stations to ensure better performance.
The control area jurisdiction in terms of load despatch centre has also been revised. Generating stations supplying to more than one states would now be in domain of regional load despatch centres, except where the host state has long term power purchase agreement of more than 50 per cent capacity.
All users of inter-state grid including distribution utilities will also be directly responsible for grid discipline and load management, in addition to state load despatch centres. Utilities have been mandated to prepare and implement automatic load management schemes from next year.
http://www.mydigitalfc.com/news/cerc-notifies-new-grid-code-promote-solar-power-generation-842
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Invoking power Act does little for grid
The invoking of emergency powers under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003, making it mandatory for all power generators to sell their power to the state grid, has made hardly any difference to the power scenario in the state.
Confronted with the worst power crisis ever faced, the government had issued orders in this regard on April 3, after the state high court upheld its stand on exercising powers under Section 11, citing high electricity consumption in the month of April and May.
Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa maintained that the basic idea of invoking Section 11 was to get power generators to operate and maintain the generating stations to their maximum exportable capacity, and not just force them to compulsorily supply power to the state grid.
Yeddyurappa said the government is taking a slew of measures to mitigate power shortage, which includes maximisation of generation from various units. A senior energy department official said the government was forced to invoke Section 11 as some sugar factories and private generators were reluctant to sell power to the state at a price between Rs 3.50 and Rs 5 per unit, as they got better offers (Rs 8-12 per unit) from other states.
On the prevailing crisis, particularly in Bangalore city, Bescom managing director Tushar Girinath said, "Karnataka has experienced a reduction in power availability from its share of the central generation stations. Against an allocation of 1,500 MW daily, on an average, about 1,200 MW is being received, resulting in a shortage of 300 MW per day.'' Besides, there has been frequent tripping at Raichur and Bellary thermal plants due to extra-load factor.
He admitted that it was one of the worst crises Karnataka is facing on the power front. "We are doing all we can, but things are going beyond our reach,'' he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Invoking-power-Act-does-little-for-grid/articleshow/5771939.cms
Confronted with the worst power crisis ever faced, the government had issued orders in this regard on April 3, after the state high court upheld its stand on exercising powers under Section 11, citing high electricity consumption in the month of April and May.
Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa maintained that the basic idea of invoking Section 11 was to get power generators to operate and maintain the generating stations to their maximum exportable capacity, and not just force them to compulsorily supply power to the state grid.
Yeddyurappa said the government is taking a slew of measures to mitigate power shortage, which includes maximisation of generation from various units. A senior energy department official said the government was forced to invoke Section 11 as some sugar factories and private generators were reluctant to sell power to the state at a price between Rs 3.50 and Rs 5 per unit, as they got better offers (Rs 8-12 per unit) from other states.
On the prevailing crisis, particularly in Bangalore city, Bescom managing director Tushar Girinath said, "Karnataka has experienced a reduction in power availability from its share of the central generation stations. Against an allocation of 1,500 MW daily, on an average, about 1,200 MW is being received, resulting in a shortage of 300 MW per day.'' Besides, there has been frequent tripping at Raichur and Bellary thermal plants due to extra-load factor.
He admitted that it was one of the worst crises Karnataka is facing on the power front. "We are doing all we can, but things are going beyond our reach,'' he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Invoking-power-Act-does-little-for-grid/articleshow/5771939.cms
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Disaster agency to tap private generator sets for elections
The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) on Sunday announced plans to mobilize and use privately owned generators in every precinct cluster to ensure that power outages would not disrupt the automated elections on May 10.
An inventory of all power generators in the country is one of the key agenda items in a meeting of council officers and regional directors in Cebu City, said Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, who is also NDCC chair.
“We will be asking our people who have generators to register them with the NDCC so we can use them during the elections,” Gonzales said.
He noted that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) had already obtained backup generators for the balloting, but the NDCC saw the need to carry out parallel contingency preparations to allay fears of a failure of elections.
“We cannot afford to have a failure of election,” Gonzales said. “The government should exert all efforts to eliminate the possibility of a failure of elections.”
Critics say Gonzales and Gen. Delfin Bangit, the newly appointed chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, are behind a military plan to keep President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in office if the vote does not result in a new Chief Executive.
Gonzales and Bangit have dismissed the speculation amid concern over the purported inability of election officials to meet targets in preparations for the country’s first nationwide electronic vote.
Both Gonzales and Bangit have vowed to ensure a smooth transition of power when Ms Arroyo’s term ends on June 30.
Power deficiency
Gonzales said the NDCC was working on contingency measures to ensure that blackouts do not occur in Mindanao from May 8 to 12. One of them is to make sure that Lake Lanao is able to supply enough water for the hydropower plants during the election period, he said.
Early this month, Mindanao was placed under a state of calamity due to severe power deficiency as a result of El Niño phenomenon that continue to dry up rivers, lakes and dams.
The power shortage on the island, which is 55-percent dependent on hydropower for electricity, has resulted in eight- to 12-hour brownouts daily.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100329-261379/Disaster-agency-to-tap-private-generator-sets-for-elections
An inventory of all power generators in the country is one of the key agenda items in a meeting of council officers and regional directors in Cebu City, said Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, who is also NDCC chair.
“We will be asking our people who have generators to register them with the NDCC so we can use them during the elections,” Gonzales said.
He noted that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) had already obtained backup generators for the balloting, but the NDCC saw the need to carry out parallel contingency preparations to allay fears of a failure of elections.
“We cannot afford to have a failure of election,” Gonzales said. “The government should exert all efforts to eliminate the possibility of a failure of elections.”
Critics say Gonzales and Gen. Delfin Bangit, the newly appointed chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, are behind a military plan to keep President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in office if the vote does not result in a new Chief Executive.
Gonzales and Bangit have dismissed the speculation amid concern over the purported inability of election officials to meet targets in preparations for the country’s first nationwide electronic vote.
Both Gonzales and Bangit have vowed to ensure a smooth transition of power when Ms Arroyo’s term ends on June 30.
Power deficiency
Gonzales said the NDCC was working on contingency measures to ensure that blackouts do not occur in Mindanao from May 8 to 12. One of them is to make sure that Lake Lanao is able to supply enough water for the hydropower plants during the election period, he said.
Early this month, Mindanao was placed under a state of calamity due to severe power deficiency as a result of El Niño phenomenon that continue to dry up rivers, lakes and dams.
The power shortage on the island, which is 55-percent dependent on hydropower for electricity, has resulted in eight- to 12-hour brownouts daily.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100329-261379/Disaster-agency-to-tap-private-generator-sets-for-elections
Monday, March 15, 2010
Dilapidated plant generators blamed for repeated power blackouts in Bali
Old and dilapidated generators in power plants are to blame for recurrent blackouts in Bali despite the completion of routine maintenance in Gilimanuk gas-powered electricity power plant, an official says.
The Bali branch of state electricity company PT PLN attributed decreasing power supply to technical disturbance in Gilimanuk power plant and faulty underwater transmission cables that supply power from Java's power plants to Bali.
Branch spokesperson Agung Mastika said disturbance also frequently occured in generators in Pesanggaran diesel-powered power plant in Denpasar and Pemaron gas-powered power plant in Buleleng.
"All the machines are very old, they were made in the 1970s. Although we have conducted routine maintenance, technical errors still occur, thus decreasing the power supply, and the only solution is to cut the power temporarily," he said, adding the older the machine was, the more fuel would be needed.
"A new car only needs a liter of gasoline to go 10 kilometers, while an old car needs several more liters to go through the same distance."
To supply electricity in Bali, PLN operates three power plants: Pesanggaran, Pemaron and Gilimanuk.
The Pesanggaran plant operates 15 generators with a total capacity of 182 MW, while the Pemaron plant has two machines with a capacity of 80 MW. The Gilimanuk plant in Jembrana only operates one machine with 130 MW.
With an additional 200 MW supplied from Java, the total power supply in Bali reaches 582 MW.
Mastika said the electricity usage in Bali was increasing, as indicated by the rising peak load, which has reached 515 MW.
"The old machines should be overhauled, in order to increase its capacity and reduce the risk of rotational blackouts. However, it needs a lot of money and it cannot be completed in short time."
PLN urged the provincial administration to create alternative energy sources, including by accelerating the ongoing Bali Crossing Transmission project, which could provide between 1,600 and 2,000 MW of power supply.
Mastika said that teams from his company and from the provincial administration have discussed the project and check the route. The project has been a subject of controversy since it is feared that it will disturb the ecosystem in the West Bali National Park in Jembrana.
Putu Armaya, head of Consumer Protection Foundation in Bali, said that the province should be self-reliance in providing energy.
"We cannot continue to rely on the existing supply. If the Bedugul project has been opposed and the progress of Bali Crossing project remains sluggish, then the provincial administration should find other solutions."
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/03/15/dilapidated-plant-generators-blamed-repeated-power-blackouts-bali.html
The Bali branch of state electricity company PT PLN attributed decreasing power supply to technical disturbance in Gilimanuk power plant and faulty underwater transmission cables that supply power from Java's power plants to Bali.
Branch spokesperson Agung Mastika said disturbance also frequently occured in generators in Pesanggaran diesel-powered power plant in Denpasar and Pemaron gas-powered power plant in Buleleng.
"All the machines are very old, they were made in the 1970s. Although we have conducted routine maintenance, technical errors still occur, thus decreasing the power supply, and the only solution is to cut the power temporarily," he said, adding the older the machine was, the more fuel would be needed.
"A new car only needs a liter of gasoline to go 10 kilometers, while an old car needs several more liters to go through the same distance."
To supply electricity in Bali, PLN operates three power plants: Pesanggaran, Pemaron and Gilimanuk.
The Pesanggaran plant operates 15 generators with a total capacity of 182 MW, while the Pemaron plant has two machines with a capacity of 80 MW. The Gilimanuk plant in Jembrana only operates one machine with 130 MW.
With an additional 200 MW supplied from Java, the total power supply in Bali reaches 582 MW.
Mastika said the electricity usage in Bali was increasing, as indicated by the rising peak load, which has reached 515 MW.
"The old machines should be overhauled, in order to increase its capacity and reduce the risk of rotational blackouts. However, it needs a lot of money and it cannot be completed in short time."
PLN urged the provincial administration to create alternative energy sources, including by accelerating the ongoing Bali Crossing Transmission project, which could provide between 1,600 and 2,000 MW of power supply.
Mastika said that teams from his company and from the provincial administration have discussed the project and check the route. The project has been a subject of controversy since it is feared that it will disturb the ecosystem in the West Bali National Park in Jembrana.
Putu Armaya, head of Consumer Protection Foundation in Bali, said that the province should be self-reliance in providing energy.
"We cannot continue to rely on the existing supply. If the Bedugul project has been opposed and the progress of Bali Crossing project remains sluggish, then the provincial administration should find other solutions."
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/03/15/dilapidated-plant-generators-blamed-repeated-power-blackouts-bali.html
Brownouts in Metro Manila avoided today
The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will no longer implement the one-hour rotating power interruptions in Metro Manila today, company spokesman Joe R. Zaldarriaga said this afternoon.
The brownouts have been averted after the 1,200 megawatt (MW) Ilijan plant shored in an additional 450 MW this morning and with the actual peak demand in the Luzon grid reduced by about 200 MW.
Jesusit H. Sulito, senior adviser to the president of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, said the 1,200 MW Ilijan plant of Korea Electric Power Corp. is now generating 900 MWs for the Luzon grid.
The power interruptions in the Meralco franchise area, announced earlier, were originally scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. -- Jose Bimbo F. Santos
http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=7709
The brownouts have been averted after the 1,200 megawatt (MW) Ilijan plant shored in an additional 450 MW this morning and with the actual peak demand in the Luzon grid reduced by about 200 MW.
Jesusit H. Sulito, senior adviser to the president of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, said the 1,200 MW Ilijan plant of Korea Electric Power Corp. is now generating 900 MWs for the Luzon grid.
The power interruptions in the Meralco franchise area, announced earlier, were originally scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. -- Jose Bimbo F. Santos
http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=7709
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Solar Generator for Electrical Power During Power Outages and Disasters Available from MySolarBackUp.com, now Featured on TransWorldNews.com.cn
For those searching for a reliable backup system for electricity during times of power outages and natural disasters the options have been limited. Most people have depended on gas powered generators as a source for electricity when the power goes out but these can be costly as they constantly require fuel, they produce fumes and are often very loud. MySolarBackUp.com now provides a solution to the dependence on gas generators, a solar generator that is not only more reliable than the traditional generator but better for the environment as well. MySolarBackUp is currently being featured on TransWorldNews.com.cn.
The solar powered backup system offered by MySolarBackUp brings peace of mind to those living in areas prone to natural disasters and with hurricane season ready to hit now is the time to prepare for the worst case scenario. When a natural disaster strikes one of the first things to go is electricity and it can be a long time before power is restored. With a solar power generator from MySolarBackUp you can produce enough electricity to keep your home running and all that electricity is free.
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http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=212700&cat=12
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Plant maintenance, dry spell mean power supply uncertain
LUZON’S POWER supply situation remains uncertain as many of the grid’s coal-fired plants are on "preventive maintenance" and hydropower facilities deal with below normal water levels.
Power outages hit Metro Manila and nearby provinces on Monday after a unit of the 1,000-megawatt (MW) Sual plant in Pangasinan conked out due to a technical problem.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines declared a "red alert" as the incident cut reserves to zero, although officials yesterday said the situation was resolved late on Monday.
The Luzon grid, however, remains under "yellow alert", meaning reserves are dangerously low.
Semiconductor and Electronics Industry of the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI) chairman Arthur J. Young Jr. expressed concern over the supply situation.
"Obviously we lose productivity when power is down. The ’yellow alert’ level is a concern to us," said Mr. Young, whose organization represents firms responsible for the country’s main export.
NGCP, the private operator of the country’s transmission lines, said Sual’s Unit 1 came back online at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, with an initial load of 225 MW that was later increased to 531 MW.
The grid’s reserve level was said to be at 201 MW as of yesterday afternoon, well below the required 1,000 MW. A total capacity of 6,521 MW was said to be available, with peak demand estimated at 6,320 MW.
Officials said one reason for the thin reserve was the fact that many of the grid’s coal plants are under preventive maintenance. These include Quezon Power’s 460-MW facility, Ilijan’s 600-MW Block B unit, and the 620-MW Limay plant. NGCP also reported that a 200-MW unit of the 600-MW Calaca plant was down due to a boiler tube leak.
Even before the tripping of Sual’s Unit 1, the plant’s 647-MW Unit 2 was shut down last Jan. 8 due to a coal supply shortage.
Energy secretary Angelo T. Reyes said many plants are under preventive maintenance in preparation for the May national elections.
"The power plants have scheduled their maintenance shutdowns to avoid scheduling them during elections," he said in a statement.
"We are just making sure. We don’t want any reason or whatsoever that these power generators will go on maintenance shutdown during the elections. So they moved forward all of their maintenance shutdowns to avoid making excuses during the elections."
Adding to the low supply in the Luzon grid are low water levels that have curbed output from hydropower plants on the island.
National Power Corp. (Napocor) data show that water levels at the 200-MW Angat, 75-MW Ambuklao, 100-MW Binga, 23.50-MW Caliraya, 360-MW Magat, 100-MW Pantabangan, and the 345-MW San Roque are all under the "rule curve" -- below that required.
Napocor spokesman Dennis S. Gana declined to state how output had been affected.
"There is nothing constant in this as there are many factors. But we now cannot use the dams as much as we could (sic)," Mr. Gana said.
Power generation is also not a priority for a multipurpose facility like Angat as drinking water comes first and irrigation is second.
Carlito C. Claudio, deputy assistant chief technical officer of NGCP, said the "yellow alert" level would be lifted on Feb. 9, a day after an expected coal shipment for Sual’s Unit 2 arrives.
"Early part of February, by [the] 9[th], our situation will be okay," Mr. Claudio said in a telephone interview.
The "yellow alert" status means outages for consumers should one of the remaining plants in operation trip.
Jesusito H. Sulit, senior adviser to the NGCP president, claimed Luzon power supply would stabilize by the end of the month. He said Ilijan’s two 200-MW gas turbines would go online on Jan. 29 while the plant’s 200-MW steam turbine was scheduled to go onstream two days later.
SEIPI’s Mr. Young, meanwhile, said they were coordinating with Manila Electric Co. regarding power supply updates.
"All we can do is to ensure that our backup power is in good condition," he said.
http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=5271
Power outages hit Metro Manila and nearby provinces on Monday after a unit of the 1,000-megawatt (MW) Sual plant in Pangasinan conked out due to a technical problem.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines declared a "red alert" as the incident cut reserves to zero, although officials yesterday said the situation was resolved late on Monday.
The Luzon grid, however, remains under "yellow alert", meaning reserves are dangerously low.
Semiconductor and Electronics Industry of the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI) chairman Arthur J. Young Jr. expressed concern over the supply situation.
"Obviously we lose productivity when power is down. The ’yellow alert’ level is a concern to us," said Mr. Young, whose organization represents firms responsible for the country’s main export.
NGCP, the private operator of the country’s transmission lines, said Sual’s Unit 1 came back online at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, with an initial load of 225 MW that was later increased to 531 MW.
The grid’s reserve level was said to be at 201 MW as of yesterday afternoon, well below the required 1,000 MW. A total capacity of 6,521 MW was said to be available, with peak demand estimated at 6,320 MW.
Officials said one reason for the thin reserve was the fact that many of the grid’s coal plants are under preventive maintenance. These include Quezon Power’s 460-MW facility, Ilijan’s 600-MW Block B unit, and the 620-MW Limay plant. NGCP also reported that a 200-MW unit of the 600-MW Calaca plant was down due to a boiler tube leak.
Even before the tripping of Sual’s Unit 1, the plant’s 647-MW Unit 2 was shut down last Jan. 8 due to a coal supply shortage.
Energy secretary Angelo T. Reyes said many plants are under preventive maintenance in preparation for the May national elections.
"The power plants have scheduled their maintenance shutdowns to avoid scheduling them during elections," he said in a statement.
"We are just making sure. We don’t want any reason or whatsoever that these power generators will go on maintenance shutdown during the elections. So they moved forward all of their maintenance shutdowns to avoid making excuses during the elections."
Adding to the low supply in the Luzon grid are low water levels that have curbed output from hydropower plants on the island.
National Power Corp. (Napocor) data show that water levels at the 200-MW Angat, 75-MW Ambuklao, 100-MW Binga, 23.50-MW Caliraya, 360-MW Magat, 100-MW Pantabangan, and the 345-MW San Roque are all under the "rule curve" -- below that required.
Napocor spokesman Dennis S. Gana declined to state how output had been affected.
"There is nothing constant in this as there are many factors. But we now cannot use the dams as much as we could (sic)," Mr. Gana said.
Power generation is also not a priority for a multipurpose facility like Angat as drinking water comes first and irrigation is second.
Carlito C. Claudio, deputy assistant chief technical officer of NGCP, said the "yellow alert" level would be lifted on Feb. 9, a day after an expected coal shipment for Sual’s Unit 2 arrives.
"Early part of February, by [the] 9[th], our situation will be okay," Mr. Claudio said in a telephone interview.
The "yellow alert" status means outages for consumers should one of the remaining plants in operation trip.
Jesusito H. Sulit, senior adviser to the NGCP president, claimed Luzon power supply would stabilize by the end of the month. He said Ilijan’s two 200-MW gas turbines would go online on Jan. 29 while the plant’s 200-MW steam turbine was scheduled to go onstream two days later.
SEIPI’s Mr. Young, meanwhile, said they were coordinating with Manila Electric Co. regarding power supply updates.
"All we can do is to ensure that our backup power is in good condition," he said.
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