(Philippines, 16th) — The Philippines is experiencing a widespread power outage, leaving millions of people without electricity during the hottest month of the year.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said that, starting Friday (May 15) afternoon, rolling blackouts began in parts of the capital Manila and areas such as Luzon, each lasting for one hour.
The grid company and the Department of Energy stated that the outages were caused by a “major grid failure” resulting in the interruption of transmission lines, coupled with several large power plants shutting down for maintenance.
The company also said that the outages are expected to spread to the central islands, potentially causing power interruptions for up to seven hours.
AFP quoted Energy Secretary Garin as saying in a statement: “The public deserves to know the details of an incident of such magnitude.”
She added: “We will conduct a comprehensive review of all operational, technical, and compliance aspects, and take appropriate action where necessary.”
Garin did not indicate when the power supply would return to normal.
Luzon is home to almost half of the Philippines’ total population of 116 million, and accounts for a significant portion of the nation’s economic output.
This outage comes during the hottest month of the year in the Philippines, when demand for air conditioning surges. Despite the Philippine government having recently implemented a four-day workweek for government offices after the outbreak of war in the Middle East, power outages are still occurring.
The grid company and the Department of Energy stated that the outages were caused by a “major grid failure” resulting in the interruption of transmission lines, coupled with several large power plants shutting down for maintenance.
The company also said that the outages are expected to spread to the central islands, potentially causing power interruptions for up to seven hours.
AFP quoted Energy Secretary Garin as saying in a statement: “The public deserves to know the details of an incident of such magnitude.”
She added: “We will conduct a comprehensive review of all operational, technical, and compliance aspects, and take appropriate action where necessary.”
Garin did not indicate when the power supply would return to normal.
Luzon is home to almost half of the Philippines’ total population of 116 million, and accounts for a significant portion of the nation’s economic output.
This outage comes during the hottest month of the year in the Philippines, when demand for air conditioning surges. Despite the Philippine government having recently implemented a four-day workweek for government offices after the outbreak of war in the Middle East, power outages are still occurring.