The Department of Energy (DOE) calls on all electricity consumers in Luzon to implement judicious use of energy during the weekend as South Premiere Power Corporation (SPPC) and Excellent Energy Resources Inc. (EERI), natural gas power generation facilities jointly owned by Meralco PowerGen, San Miguel Global Power, and Aboitiz Power, conduct a scheduled shutdown from 9:00 AM on Saturday, 29March 2025 until 6:30 AM on Monday, 31 March 2025.
This temporary shutdown is necessary to facilitate mechanical activities at Linseed Field Corporation’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, a crucial step towards completing its first onshore LNG storage tank by the end of April this year.
The LNG terminal is expected to resume sending out gas, enabling EERI to synchronize to the grid by 8:30 PM on Sunday, while SPPC Block 1, which requires a longer start-up period, is expected to synchronize by 9:00 PM on the same day. Both EERI and SPPC will have a full capacity of 1,350 MW from the current 1,300 MW by 6:30 AM on Monday, 31 March 2025.
The shutdown of these plants has been strategically planned in coordination with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to coincide with lower system demand, minimizing potential supply disruptions. The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) has initially assessed that there will be no expected yellow or red alerts during this period, although the event may temporarily push spot market prices upward. A final assessment will be made once NGCP updates the Market Management System with the latest outage schedule.
Meanwhile, Meralco has confirmed that supply reserves for the weekend are projected to be adequate. However, Meralco will remain on high alert and is prepared to activate its Interruptible Load Program (ILP) should the need arise.
On 26 March 2025, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced the conclusion of the northeast monsoon or “amihan," signaling the onset of warmer conditions across the country. The forecasted heat index level from 27 – 31 March 2025 for large part of Luzon is expected to fall under the “caution” category which is 27 °C to 32 °C, while some parts may briefly reach the “extreme caution level” or 33 °C to 41 °C.
Given these warm temperatures, the DOE is strongly encouraging all Luzon consumers to take part in energy conservation efforts throughout the weekend. Simple actions such as maximizing natural lighting and ventilation when possible, turning off lights and non-essential appliances when not in use, and setting air conditioners to 24 to 26°C can significantly contribute to reducing demand on the grid.
The DOE remains committed to ensuring a stable and reliable power supply while supporting sustainable energy practices. For updates and energy-saving tips, consumers are encouraged to follow DOE’s official channels and advisories. ###