Manila: Energy authorities have announced that the low capacity issue in the Visayas grid is expected to be partially resolved within the week as two major coal-fired power plants resume operations.

According to Philippines News Agency, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin stated in an online briefing that the 169-megawatt (MW) Unit 2 of Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) and the 105-MW Unit 2 of Kepco SPC Power Corporation are slated to return to service this week. Additionally, TVI's 169-MW Unit 1 and Cebu Energy Development Corporation's 82-MW Unit 1 are on schedule to resume operations by September.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) issued a red alert status for the Visayas grid from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday due to inadequate power supply to meet demand and the grid's regulating requirements. A yellow alert is also in effect from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. The alerts followed a report by the grid operator indicating that available capacity stands at approximately 2,312 MW, while peak demand is projected to reach 2,395 MW.

Secretary Garin mentioned ongoing discussions with the NGCP to install around 250-MW battery-powered facilities in Negros, Cebu, Leyte, and Iloilo to enhance capacity in the Visayas grid. "If these projects are in place and the batteries have been installed, yellow alerts in the Visayas will be reduced by a minimum of 50 percent," she added.