(Pasig City) The Department of Energy (DOE) is in close coordination with distribution utilities (DUs) for the implementation of the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) in Luzon.

Given the rising power demand during summer, ILP is part of the country's demand-side management program. ILP serves as an option for DUs like Meralco and electric cooperatives to ask their big load customers to serve their own power needs by using their own generator sets in the event that all available mechanisms implemented to ensure supply are not enough to cover the demand for electricity.

Targeted ILP participants are those electricity end-users with large standby generation capacities such as malls, large business establishments, and factories.

Energy Undersecretary Raul B. Aguilos said "we are encouraging the ILP as it provides distribution utilities like Meralco an option of last resort to meet its power requirements.”

The trigger to implement ILP is contingent on the status of the grid and the choice of the DU. Based on established protocols, ILP is implemented during a red alert status (minimal power reserve) upon the notice of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the DUs informing ILP participants to deload from the grid.

It must be noted that the power situation in Luzon has improved at the start of the month as compared to March with the Ilijan Power Plant with 600 megawatts coming online earlier than scheduled. However, the supply situation remains tight as Luzon registers its highest annual demand during the summer months.

At present, Mindanao DUs have been employing the ILP to augment its power requirements. On the other hand, Visayas DUs relied on ILP to mitigate the impact of supply curtailment brought about by Typhoon Yolanda.

In addition, the DOE continues to encourage the public for the judicious use of power and practice energy efficiency measures not only during the summer period, but all throughout the year.