TASK FORCE ON ENERGY RESILIENCY (TFER) UPDATE NO. 3 ON TAAL VOLCANO ERUPTION

January 13, 2020 
(as of 8:00 PM) 

TAGUIG CITY – The Department of Energy (DOE) is closely coordinating with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (NDRRM), as well as all the members of the energy family for subsequent updates and information pertinent to the status of energy facilities and systems, or any other emerging problem that may affect energy supply in concerned areas.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has cautioned on the presence of lightning and thunderstorms in the vicinity of Taal volcano and downwind side areas.

Energy facilities in Laguna, Rizal, Northern Quezon, and Aurora have been advised to undertake the necessary preparations, including the close monitoring of Taal's volcanic activity in the next three days.

I. POWER SECTOR

A. GENERATION

The National Power Corporation (NPC) activated its contingency forces, which handles the close monitoring of power plants’ status and operations, in partnership with the DOE-Electric Power Industry Management Bureau and the Task Force on Energy Resiliency.

As of today (13 January), following are the de-rated power plants affected by ash fall:

•  Team Energy Corporation - Pagbilao Coal-fired Power Plant Unit 1 and 2
•  Pagbilao Energy Corporation - Pagbilao Coal-fired Power Plant Unit 3
•  Quezon Power Philippines Ltd (QPPL) Coal-fired Power Plant
•  San Buenaventura Power Ltd (SBPL) Coal-fired Power Plant
•  KEPCO Ilijan Corporation (KEILCO) Ilijan Natural Gas-fired Power Plant Block 1 and Block 2

B. TRANSMISSION

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is implementing contingency measures, as it continues monitoring the effects of volcanic activity of Taal Volcano on transmission facilities.

As of 5:45PM today (13 January), following transmission lines are still out:

•  Binan-Calaca 230kV Line
• Calaca-Malamig 230kV Line
• Dasmariñas-Ilijan 500kV Line
• Tayabas-Dasmariñas 500kV Line

Actions Taken:

•Line crews will be mobilized to inspect the lines and conduct cleaning of critical line equipment as soon as the situation is deemed safe.

C. DISTRIBUTION

The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), Batangas I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BATELEC I) and Batangas II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BATELEC II), are working to restore the electricity services to areas surrounding the Taal Lake.

An estimate of 150,000 customers are affected with power interruptions which will continue to go down as a result of the Taal Volcano eruption. This number will continue to go down as the linemen and the other field personnel continue to clean and restore the electricity services. 

For further updates, the MERALCO agreed to provide the DOE an update of its restoration efforts every four (4) hours, while the National Electrification Administration (NEA) will provide its update on BATELEC I and II every six (6) hours.

Feeders Affected:

• TALAGA 
   F1 -Talisay/portion of Tanauan
   F2 – Tanauan
• LAUREL

All feeders
Municipality/City Affected: 
• Tanauan
• Talisay
• Laurel

Cause of Power Interruption:

• volcanic eruption
• series of earthquake
• ash fall, lava mud and rocks affecting sub-transmission and distribution facilities

Date & Time Power Went-Off : 12 January 2020 at 1611H

Date & Time Power Restored: To be determined. On-going ash fall and mud showers within the area.

II. OIL SECTOR 

A. LIQUID FUELS AND LPG
as of 5:45PM today (13 January)

1. Shell
• refinery is business-as-usual
• 9 stations within 6-35 km radius of Taal are currently closed down for safety of staff
• stations in Cavite, Batangas, and Laguna are operational and can serve as emergency sites

2. Petron
•depot terminals for LPG in Batangas and Cavite are not affected

3. Petro Gazz
• Gazz Silang Cavite and Gazz Lipa City currently stopped its operation

4. SEAOIL
• 18 stations in Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas are closed due to Ash fall

5. UNIOIL
•retail outlet in Silang Cavite is closed due to power outage

6.CHEVRON
• all Batangas stations except Lemery remain operational

7.USA88
• Mataas Na Kahoy, Batangas station is closed

8. PHOENIX PETROLEUM
• 9 stations are closed due to Ash fall

10. PETRON
• 20 stations are closed due to Ash fall

11. FLYING V
• 12 stations are closed due to Ash fall

12. TOTAL
• four stations are closed due to Ash fall

13. SPI
• Calaca Batangas Depot is not affected

14. ISLA
• plant sites in South Luzon is safe and operational

B. A State of Calamity (SOC) was raised in the province of Batangas. Thus, a price freeze for household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene products in this area is now in effect and will remain valid for 15 days upon the announcement of the SOC. 

Subsequent updates will be made as soon as the information becomes available.

Rest assured that the entire energy family will keep the public properly informed on the matter.

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