Visayas power grid faces critical red alert Thursday evening

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) warned that the Visayas Grid will remain under red and yellow alert status on Thursday, October 29, citing ongoing power supply challenges in the region.

According to the NGCP advisory, the most critical red alert condition will be in effect from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., when electricity demand typically peaks. The red alert designation indicates that the grid's reserve capacity has fallen to critically low levels, leaving little buffer against unexpected supply disruptions.

Yellow alert conditions are also expected throughout the day, signaling elevated strain on the power system. These consecutive days of alerts underscore persistent supply-demand imbalances affecting the Visayas region, which comprises several major islands including Cebu, Negros, and Panay.

The NGCP typically issues such alerts when available power reserves fall below safe operational thresholds, prompting grid operators to implement contingency measures and coordinate with power generators to manage consumption. Consumers are generally advised to practice voluntary conservation during these periods to help stabilize the grid.

Photo: The entrance to a National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) office, May 2023. JDipterocarpus via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).