MANILA — The National Electrification Administration said that as of 9 a.m., November 5, there are 1,285,252 household connections still without power in the Visayas following the onslaught of typhoon Tino.
Based on NEA data, there are still 27 electric co-ops with partial power interruption and 3 with total power interruption. Cooperatives with total power interruption include CELCO (Camotes Island), LEYECO IV (Leyte) and PROSIELCO (Siquijor).
NEA administrator Antonio Almeda said there are still flooded areas and roads with debris that prevent crews from pushing through with restoration efforts. Almeda said he cannot give a definite time yet for 100 percent power restoration in typhoon-ravaged areas.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines also said it cannot promise a definite date for when its damaged transmission lines will be restored. There are still 9 transmission lines in Cebu, Leyte and Negros Island that are still offline.
But NGCP said it will prioritize Cebu as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is coming there this Friday to visit the affected areas.
The Energy Regulatory Commission has also suspended the trading of electricity in the Visayas market due to the impact of typhoon Tino.
"The Market Suspension Resolution seeks to suspend the operations of the WESM whenever there is a market failure and prices are no longer competitive or reflective of actual system conditions, including situations of overgeneration. During calamities such as Typhoon Tino, transmission constraints and load interruptions can result in system imbalances, where some areas experience excess generation while others remain isolated," says ERC Chairman Saturnino Juan.
According to ERC, in these abnormal conditions, market prices become distorted, settlements become unreliable, and trading no longer reflects fair competition. Hence, market suspension is necessary to maintain market integrity, protect participants and consumers, and allow system operators to focus on safe restoration and normalization of grid operations.