Philippines Luzon grid under yellow alert from 5 PM to 7 PM due to power plant outages

A yellow alert has been raised for the Luzon grid in the Philippines starting Wednesday, March 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., due to higher forecasted demand and forced outages at several power plants.

Eight power plants have been out since February and four others since 2024, with sixteen operating below their full capacity, resulting in a shortage of 3,362.3 megawatts of available power.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that peak demand reached 11,829 MW while available capacity was at 12,488 MW, leaving a slim operating margin of 659 MW.

With temperatures reaching up to 42°C in Echague, Isabela, and Baler, Aurora, the situation was further aggravated by forced outages and derated power plants.

A red alert would be issued if supply is no longer sufficient to meet demand, potentially leading to brownouts.