POWER distribution services in several parts of Mindanao affected by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake are now back online.
The National Electrification Administration (NEA) said Thursday all electric cooperatives (ECs) that experienced power interruptions due to the tremor are now back to normal operations.
These are Cotabato Electric Cooperative Inc. (Cotelco), Cotelco-PPalma, Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (Daneco), Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (Dasureco), Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative Inc. (Doreco), South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative Inc. (Socoteco I), Socoteco II, and Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative Inc. (Sukelco).
The NEA has directed all ECs in Mindanao to observe appropriate contingency measures to mitigate the impact of the earthquake.
Also, the ECs were also advised to “activate their Emergency Response Organization accordingly when the need arises to implement without delay the appropriate emergency response plans.” Moreover, the ECs were required “to restore the electric service in areas, which were not affected by the earthquake but temporarily shut off for safety reasons.”
The 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck North Cotabato and several parts of Mindanao on Wednesday, October 16. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), it was tectonic in origin and recorded at around 7:37 p.m.
Affected power generation facilities in Mindanao, meanwhile, were expected to be restored Thursday.
The DOE reported that Mindanao Geothermal Power Plant (MGPP) units 1 and 2, with a total net generation of 91 megawatts, tripped at 7:37 p.m. of October 16.
MGPP Unit 2 was restored at 3:13 a.m. of Thursday, while MGPP Unit 1 was expected to be restored at 10p.m. of October 17.
On the transmission side, the Department of Energy (DOE) said Thursday morning that the power transmission backbone in Mindanao remains intact. There have been no reports of damaged transmission facilities or high voltage equipment in South and North Cotabato.
Likewise, the agency said there is no damage to both upstream and downstream oil facilities.