(Taguig City) Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla urges consumers in Luzon as well as in the Visayas to exercise energy efficiency and conservation to be able to provide ample supply of power in Visayas after Super Typhoon Yolanda caused major damages to its energy facilities.

Since 8 November 2013, the Visayas grid lost an average of 500-MW with the non-operation of the Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plant. Luzon is expected to share power to the Visayas through the Ormoc-Cabacungan 350kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Line, which interconnects the two grids.

On this note, Sec. Petilla appeals to power consumers especially in Luzon to practice energy efficiency measures amidst the boost in energy demand and consumption during the holiday season.

“Not only will you save on electricity, you are also saving your fellow Filipinos in the Visayas,” Secretary Petilla said, adding that “any reduction in demand in Luzon will mean added available capacity to supply the Visayas grid.”

The DOE likewise calls on large power-consuming establishments to reduce electric consumption by executing energy-efficient methods such as lessening the use of air-conditioning and unplugging unnecessary electrical equipment.

Meanwhile, household consumers can contribute to the energy efficiency and conservation efforts, simply by unplugging electrical appliances, turning off the lights when not in use, use of energy efficient technologies, and to cut down use of holiday lights and energy-consuming decors.

The DOE is continuously coordinating with the National Electrification Administration, National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, power generation companies, and distribution utilities to ensure restoration of power supply to major parts of the Visayas before the target date of 24 December 2013.