(Taguig City) With the scheduled maintenance activity in the Malampaya Platform this November, the Department of Energy (DOE) urges consumers to implement energy efficiency measures to mitigate the impact on power supply and price in Luzon.

The DOE appeals to manufacturing plants and large power consuming establishments in Luzon to coincide maintenance activities with the Malampaya activity to minimize the effect on their electricity bills.

For households, the DOE promotes the undertaking of energy efficiency and conservation efforts, such as unplugging electrical appliances, turning off the light when not in use, and use of other energy efficient technologies.

The DOE is continuously coordinating with the Malampaya Consortium, power generation companies, and the Manila Electric Company to ensure adequate supply of power during the Malampaya Platform maintenance from 09 November to 8 December 2013.

The DOE notes that the said maintenance activity must be executed in order to sustain the integrity and reliability of the platform for natural gas production.

“If we don’t do this and we have a problem, it may get worse.  Also, the people must be prepared for higher electricity rates. After all, the most expensive electricity is having no electricity,” Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla said.

The Malampaya gas project provides natural gas to the 1,200 megawatts (MW) Ilijan combined cycle natural gas plant owned by Kepco Philippines Corp., and the 1000 MW Sta. Rita and 500 MW San Lorenzo natural gas facilities of First Gen Corporation.   These power plants will run on liquid condensate in order to provide sufficient energy supply during the course of maintenance.

Ilijan, Sta. Rita, and San Lorenzo power plants, when combined, provide about 40% of the power supply in Luzon.