Davao: A magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Manay, Davao Oriental, has led to the unavailability of three transmission lines in the Mindanao Grid, according to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). The affected lines are the Davao-Toril 69kV line, Nabunturan-Asuncion 69kV line, and Nabunturan-Masara 138kV line, serving parts of Davao City, Davao del Norte, and Davao de Oro. Despite these disruptions, NGCP confirmed that power transmission services in Northeastern, North Central, and Southwestern Mindanao remain stable.
According to Philippines News Agency, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin reported that four distribution utilities experienced tripping following the tremor. These utilities are the Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative (DORECO), Davao Light and Power Company, Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company, and Cotabato Light and Power Company. Garin emphasized the importance of heeding tsunami warnings and safety protocols, drawing parallels to aftershocks experienced in Cebu previously.
The Task Force on Energy Resiliency noted that three power generation plants temporarily went offline due to auto-tripping but have since been restored. These include the 149.1 MW Malita Coal Plant Unit 2, Agus 1 Hydro Electric Power's 29.4MW unit 1 and 29.3MW unit 2, and Pulangi 4 HEP's 63.3 MW Unit 1, 39.2 MW unit 2, and 63.2 MW unit 3. On-grid power plants are reported to be operating normally.
Additionally, the task force stated that there were no affected diesel power plants under the National Power Corporation's Small Power Utilities Group. However, a 731.52MW drop in total load was reported due to auto-tripping of generation plants. The Bunawan-Maco 138kV Line also auto-tripped but was re-energized shortly after.
The National Electrification Administration reported that five electric cooperatives were impacted by the earthquake. Two cooperatives, Surigao del Sur I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SURSECO I) and Surigao del Sur II Electric Cooperative (SURSECO II), have returned to normal operation, while DORECO, Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DASURECO), and Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NORDECO) are experiencing partial power interruptions.
