TAGUIG CITY – Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today rallied the members of the energy family, through the Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER), to continue working together for the immediate full restoration of energy services after Typhoon Ursula barreled through the Visayas and some parts of Luzon on Christmas Day.

“The entire energy family is striving to normalize energy services, especially power, in the affected areas at the soonest, if possible before the new year. It is extremely disheartening that Christmas for some of our kababayans got dampened by this disaster, and we commiserate with all those who lost a family member or a friend to Typhoon Ursula. For the energy family’s part, we have our courageous and hardworking line men and other personnel on the ground who are working round-the-clock since yesterday to safely and urgently restore access to power,” Secretary Cusi emphasized.

Restoration efforts are currently underway, with the TFER reporting the following updates:

1. POWER SECTOR

1. GENERATION

• National Power Corporation-Small Power Utilities Group (NPC-SPUG) power plants in Bicol have suspended operations due to strong winds and heavy rainfall.
• NPC is gathering information on the status of other NPC-SPUG power plants in other affected areas.

2. TRANSMISSION

As of 6:00 PM of 26 December 2019, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported the status of the following transmission lines in the Visayas:

 

 RESTORED

1. Panitan-Sara-Estancia 69kV Line

Assessed Damage: 5 toppled towers, 5 leaning, 1 broken

Customer affected: Capiz (CAPELCO)

Date and Time Out: 25 December 2019, 4:18AM

Date and Time Restored: 26 December 2019, 6:11PM

2. Panitan-Sapian 69kV Line

*On-going damage assessment activities

Customer affected: Capiz, Antique (CAPELCO, AKELCO)

Date and Time Out: 25 December 2019, 4:18AM

Date and Time Restored: 26 December 2019, 6:11PM

 

UNAVAILABLE

1. Panit-an-Nabas 138 kV Line

Assessed Damage: 14 toppled towers

Customer affected: Aklan province

2. Ormoc-San Isidro 69kV Line

Assessed Damage: 2 toppled towers; 8 leaning

Customer affected: Northern Leyte (LEYECO V, BILECO, LEYECO III, DORELCO)

Date and Time Out: 24 December 2019, 6:21PM

3. Babatngon-Apitong-Arado 69kV Line

Assessed Damage: 1 leaning

Customer affected:  Northern Leyte (LEYECO II)

Date and Time Out: 24 December 2019, 6:13PM

Date and Time Restored: 26 December 2019, 10:43AM

4. Paranas-Taft-Borongon-Quinapondan 69kV Line

*On-going damage assessment activities

Customer affected: Eastern Samar (ESAMELCO)

Date and Time Out:24 December 2019, 1:50PM

5. Amlan-Guihulngan 69kV Line

Assessed Damage: 1 toppled tower

Customer affected:  Negros Oriental (NORECO I, NORECO II)

6. Nabas-Sapian 69kV Line

*On-going damage assessment activities

Customer affected: Capiz, Antique (CAPELCO, AKELCO)

Date and Time Out: 25 December 2019, 4:18AM

7. Nabas-Culasi

*Ready for energization

Customer affected: Antique (ANTECO)

8. Nabas-Caticlan 69kV Line

*On-going damage assessment activities

Customer affected: Boracay, Aklan (AKELCO)

Date and Time Out: 25 December 2019, 7:56AM

9. Concepcion-Sara-Estancia 69 kV Line

Customer affected: Iloilo (ILECO III)

Date and Time Out: 24 December 2019, 1:50PM

3. DISTRIBUTION

A total of 34 electric cooperatives (ECs) in 20 provinces across five regions were affected.

• Number of municipalities/cities that have been partially restored: 69
• Number of municipalities/cities that are for restoration: 130

 

ECs affected:

• Region IV-B: ROMELCO (Romblon), ORMECO (Or. Mindoro), OMECO (Occ. Mindoro), MARELCO (Marinduque), TIELCO (Romblon).
• Region V: MASELCO (Masbate), SORECO I and II (Sorsogon) due to Typhoon Tisoy.
• Region VI: CAPELCO (Capiz), Guimelco (Guimaras), AKELCO (Aklan), ANTECO (Antique), ILECO I, II and III (Iloilo), NONECO and NOCECO (Negros Occidental).
• Region VII: NORECO I and II (Negros Oriental), CEBECO II, III and BANELCO (Cebu).
• Region VIII: BILECO (Biliran), LEYECO II, III, IV and V (Leyte), ESMELCO (Eastern Samar), SAMELCO I and II (Western Samar), NORSAMELCO (Northern Samar)

 

2. OIL SECTOR

1. LIQUID FUELS AND LPG

1. Phoenix Petroleum reported five damaged retail stations

 

1. Sabando, Roxas City- damages to canopy, flag sign, pump, and cashier’s booth

2. Tanauan, Leyte- damage to flag sign, spreader, canopy, cashier’s booth, glass panel, lube racks

3. Naga, Tacloban City- damage to flag sign, spreader, canopy, cashier’s booth, glass panel, lube racks

4. Caibaan, Tacloban City- damage to flag sign, spreader, canopy, cashier’s booth, glass panel, lube racks

5. Naval, Biliran, Leyte- damage to flag sign, spreader, canopy, cashier’s booth, glass panel, lube racks

 

2. Petron depots and terminals are operational, with healthy inventories.

 

2. LIQUID FUELS

1. Seaoil

1. Babatngon, Leyte Depot

• no commercial power since the evening of 24 December
• no road access to depot via Barugo due to fallen trees and light posts; clearing operations expected today
• partial communication signal restored on the evening of 25 December
• all personnel have been accounted for

 

2. Depots in Guimbal, Ludo, Bredco, Mabini

• no damages have been reported
• all personnel have been accounted for

 

2. Petro Gazz

1. one closed retail station in Manlurip, Tacloban, Leyte, due to major damages to the pylon post and forecourt area
2. four retail stations have been damaged, but are operational

 

• Tanauan, Leyte - minor damage (canopy and price board)
• Pontevedra, Capiz - minor damage (canopy and forecourt)
• Ipil, Ormoc- major damage (pylon post)
• Basper, Tacloban, Leyte - contaminated gasoline product (only diesel is being sold)

 

3. Shell

1. six retail stations are closed due to damages to signages, shop exteriors, spandrels, and claddings (one in Tacloban, one in Naval, Biliran, four in Capiz)
2. all depots/terminals are operational

4. Insular

all depots/terminals are operational

5. Unioil

1. depots/terminals are operational; no damages have been reported
2. retail stations are operational; no damages have been reported

6. Filoil

all depots/terminals are operational

7. Total

1. five retail stations have closed due to power outages.

• Total Tacloban
• Total Burayan
• FBT Jaro
• FBT Alang Alang
• FBT Tolosa

2. Retail Stations in Mindoro Occidental are operational

 

8. Independent Players for Retail Stations

1. Cabucgayan, Biliran

one partially damaged, but operational

2. Roxas

one non-operational

3. Tacloban

one unconfirmed report on damage to dispensing pumps

4. Laoang

one with damaged canopy, but operational

5. Balasan, Iloilo

• two non-operational
• one operational

6. Sara, Iloilo

                          two are operational

“We are grateful to have all hands on deck at such a difficult time. All efforts are being undertaken to ensure that our fellow countrymen will have electricity access before the new year comes in,” the Energy Chief concluded.

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The Net Metering Program (NMP) is an important empowerment option for our consumers which Sec. Alfonso G. Cusi seeks to expand. Hence, the comments of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on the Department of Energy’s proposed Net Metering Policy are well-taken and highly regarded. 

We are pleased that the ERC is one with the Department of Energy (DOE) in pushing for the continued growth of the country’s renewable energy (RE) sector. As part of the DOE mandate, we have been actively looking for ways to accelerate the exploration and development of RE resources, including hybrid systems, to help the country attain energy self-reliance and minimize its dependence on fossil fuels. 

EMPOWERING “RE PROSUMERS” 

In monitoring the implementation of the RE Act of 2008, we noted the apparent low participation rate in the NMP for RE, which started in 2015. As a matter of fact, in the various fora and public consultations on the matter that we have either conducted or participated in, issues that hinder consumer engagement in RE’s NMP have surfaced. These include limited financing options, lengthy and complicated permitting processes, the lack of standardized distributed photovoltaic installation procedures, as well as the cost burden of and the varying standards related to the conduct of distribution impact studies. Moreover, we also receive complaints regarding reported inaction of the Distribution Utilities (DUs) on applications for the Net-Metering arrangement with the customers. 

In order for us to have a deeper understanding of the situation and to promptly establish measures that would encourage greater participation of electricity end-users in the RE NMP, we commissioned a study through technical assistance from the United States Agency for International Development’s Clean Power Asia Program, on “Distributed Photovoltaic Economic and Technical Impact Analysis in the Philippines”. 

As part of the study’s development, we conducted a series of workshops and focus group discussions, which were participated in by key industry stakeholders, including the ERC, Meralco, Visayan Electric Corporation, other DUs, and other RE practitioners. All inputs gathered have then been incorporated into our proposed DC. The proposed DC was then subjected to nationwide public consultations in October of this year in order to solicit more insights, comments, and suggestions on its contents. 

MORE OPTIONS FOR CONSUMERS 

We would like to clarify that the draft DC does not only cover certain amendments in the Net-Metering Rules, but also other measures that would support our goal of maximizing RE utilization to achieve energy security. In particular, Sections 6 and 7 of the draft DC are innovations that would facilitate tapping potential additional supply on a voluntary basis, and in cases where there would be supply shortfalls. These proposed revisions have been patterned after the Interruptible Load Program, which is currently being implemented, except that RE will be used as the fuel resource, instead of traditional oil based sources. This is a significant program that enables the simultaneous empowerment of electricity end-users in managing their electricity requirements, and providing them with the capacity to contribute to the electricity grid in times of need. 

BETTER CONSUMER COMPENSATION MECHANISM 

As for the two compensation mechanisms, we introduced the classical net meeting concept, which refers to net metering valued at kilowatt hour, instead of the DU’s blended generation rate, with the final determination of the appropriate compensation mechanism vested upon the ERC. 

CONSOLIDATING STAKEHOLDERS’ COMMENTS

Following our standard procedures before issuing any policy, we are currently reviewing all insights, comments, and suggestions we have received from our stakeholders, including those from the ERC, which we received on 18 November 2019. 

Lastly, we would like to note that there are also several legislative bills attempting to amend, or prescribe a revised NMP. 

We would like to assure both our stakeholders and the general public that the DOE is tirelessly working for the best interests of electricity end-users and the energy sector as a whole. 

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Participants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines gather for a photo at the last day of the ASIA EDGE Forum on LNG Regulation on 12 December 2019. 

FULL STORY: https://bit.ly/DOEparticipatesregionalforumLNG

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DOE-OIMB Supervising Assistant Secretary Leonido J. Pulido III welcomes the participants to the ASIA EDGE Forum on LNG Regulation  on 10 December 2019 at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City. 

TAGAYTAY CITY – As part of its mandate to keep abreast of developments in the downstream oil and natural gas industries, the Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) participated in the Asia Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy (ASIA EDGE) Forum on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Regulation held on 10-12 December 2019 at the Taal Vista Hotel. 

Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said, “The DOE remains grateful for the various learning opportunities and the continued support of our development partners under the Gas Policy Development Project. Establishing a strong foundation of knowledge on the LNG industry is central to our goal of transforming our country into a regional LNG hub.”

Sponsored by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources (USDS-BER), 55 delegates from five countries participated in the forum, which featured presentations on LNG regulatory practices and other industry developments from energy regulators and operators from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

DOE-OIMB Supervising Assistant Secretary Leonido J. Pulido III delivered the opening remarks, where he warmly welcomed the delegates and expressed the agency’s appreciation for the event. “This forum will be a great opportunity for us to learn from our colleagues not only from the United States, but also from our neighbors in the region, the NEW LNG Club.  Together we will be able to hurdle the challenges of developing an LNG industry, more so, for the Philippines, which has been consistent in its efforts to establish a transparent and competitive LNG market in the country for our energy security and in our commitment to reduce our carbon output,” he stated. 

Resource speakers included US LNG regulatory agencies (US Maritime Administration, US Coast Guard, and the US Department of Commerce), as well as private sector experts, who shared their knowledge on the operations of floating storage and regasification units, offshore and near-shore LNG facilities permits, maritime traffic from LNG cargoes, industry standards for LNG ports and maritime activities, LNG Health, Safety, Security, and Environment standards, global LNG market, structure and standard terms in LNG sales and trading contacts, fundamentals of infrastructure finance, and domestic gas market and third party access.

The ASIA EDGE Forum was organized by the Commercial Law Development Program of the US Department of Commerce, under the guidance and funding support of the USDS-BER, and in partnership with the Gas Policy Development Program (GPDP). The GPDP is funded through a cooperative agreement with the USDS being implemented by the University of the Philippines’ Statistical Center Research Foundation, Inc.

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TAGUIG CITY - As part of the activities for the National Energy Consciousness Month, the Department of Energy, through its Energy Utilization Management Bureau (DOE-EUMB), launched the Energy Innovation Challenge (EIC) at the F1 Hotel last Monday (2 December) to tap into the creativity of Senior High and college students in the development of energy technologies. 

“We want our students to have a say in the forging of their energy future. This Energy Innovation Challenge would give them the opportunity to contribute to the continuing development of the energy industry as early as now,” Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said. 

The EIC was developed to serve as a tool to encourage the Filipino youth to participate in the formulation of innovative solutions to existing and potential challenges within the energy industry.  Submissions are divided into two categories: (a) senior high school students from Grades 10 to 12, and (b) third to fifth year college students for Academic Year 2020-2021. 

During the launch, the DOE-EUMB discussed the guidelines for the EIC. In addition, the various bureaus of the Department (Energy Policy and Planning Bureau, Electric Power Industry Management Bureau, Energy Resource Development Bureau, and Oil Industry Management Bureau) presented their respective policies and programs, together with the issues faced by their sectors, to help get the students started on their proposals. 

Participants included students from Parañaque National Highschool, V. Mapa High School, Muntinlupa High school, Pitogo High school, Adamson University, Technological University of the Philippines, National University, Don Bosco Technical College, De La Salle University, University of South Eastern Philippines, University of Makati, Cavite State University, and Cainta Catholic College.

Interested parties may contact the DOE-EUMB’s Alternative Fuels and Energy Technology Division at (02) 8840-2214 or (02) 8479-2900 local 209. 

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